Snow Sports Sports Section

Annual Reports

2001

2002

2003

2004

2005

2006

2007

2008

2009 Out January 2010

2008 top

Snowsports Sports Section

By Secretary Ms Alex Rebanks
 
In January 2008 the Lancashire Constabulary participated in the Police Sport UK National Skiing Championships for the first time in 15 years. Keen skiers, DC Steve Hooper (Central) and SC Steve Broadbent (Northern) represented the force and in Austria both very much ‘breaking the ice’ in the daunting task of competitive skiing..
 
Twelve months on, in January 2009 Steve entered the competition again in Austria with PC Damian Whittle (Southern) making his debut appearance. Both completed the difficult (and very icy) Giant Slalom and short Slalom courses in respectable times. Steve finished both events in 62/63rd position (He was 93rd last year) Damian was 49th in the short slalom and 92nd in the GS.
 
They both returned from Austria with some interesting experiences and hopefully some inspiration for other members to take part in Hinterglemm on 23 January 2010.

2007 top

By Section Member DC Steve Hooper

In January 2008 the Lancashire Constabulary participated in the Police Sport UK National Skiing Championships for the first time in 15 years. Keen skiers, DC Steve Hooper (Central Division) and Steve Broadbent (Northern Division) represented the force and returned from the event held in Austria with some interesting experiences and hopefully some inspiration for other members to take part in January 2009…..

The Event

Until the early 1990’s the event has taken place in Scotland. However, poor snow forced the event to be held in Europe and more recently in Hinterglemm, Austria. In January 2008 myself and Steve Broadbent travelled to Austria as representatives of the force. Both were competent skiers but have never competed in a serious competition before. The events contested are:

  Alpine Giant Slalom Individual and team events (34 gates - 1000 ft decent)

  Snowboard Giant Slalom Individual and team events

  Alpine Slalom (44 gates - 600 ft decent)

  Snowboard Giant Slalom

  Nordic Cross Country (8k)

  Nordic Relay (3 x 4k)

Giant Slalom

The course was down Red13, a course used for the Austrian World Ski Championships. On event day Steve and I were not seeded and I was racer number 137 and Steve, 159. By the time we departed on our first run the course had become quite fast, furious and icy. We both sped through the 34 gates descending 1053 feet in the process. Steve managed to finish his two runs but I unfortunately lost control on the last three gates and skied off the course. Steve finished his two runs successfully negotiating the 1000 feet in just less than two minutes. He was placed 93 out of 137 male racers.

“Being one of the last racers down the course had become very icy and your turns need to be spot on to negotiate the next gate.”

Slalom

The course was much shorter and perhaps less steep but there were 44 gates to negotiate over some 600 feet of ascent. Steve went off well but missed gate 37 and was timed out. I managed to complete the 44 gates albeit tentatively. My second run was much faster and I knocked some 50 seconds off my time to finish +++/++

“The Slalom is much quicker than the giant slalom. The gates come up every two seconds and intense concentration is a must - you can’t afford to let your mind wander for a second.”

Nordic Skiing

I had never cross country skied ‘Langlauf’ stile so I decided to opt out of this event. Steve had done some practicing the week before and completed the two lap, 8 kilometre course in 54 minutes placed 37/39.

“Nordic Skiing is very technical and requires more aerobic strength and ability than downhill. I will return next year and put in some practice to hopefully improve on my performance”

Snowboarding

Neither Steve nor myself were ‘boarders’ but the various competitions were well represented and very competitive.

Conclusion

There were 201 police competitors representing 21 UK police forces. The camaraderie among the police competitors was fantastic and at no time either of us was made to feel unwelcome being only novice skiers and we were given lots of tips and advice by our fellow colleagues. There were many expert skiers but I would say the majority were there to improve on their previous performance, fitness and ability and simply enjoy the week.

The event was very well organised and each evening there was a team captain’s meeting updating each force on the progress of the competition and a presentation of awards took place on the last night.

Après Ski

Saalbach/Hinterglemm is a great ski resort with lots of good runs to keep any skier or boarder occupied for a couple of weeks. The police competitors know how to party but for those who wanted to ski into the evening there was a floodlit downhill course available to use until 9.30pm each night. Many of the competitors were accompanied by the partners and family and the whole event was geared toward a great week of skiing - but with a difference!

Police Sport UK Snow Sport Championships 2009

The 2009 date has been fixed for 10 to 17 January. The County Club will fund the entry fee, 7 day lift pass and race insurance for every member who is selected to attend. We are looking to recruit a six person ski and snowboard team and anyone interested should contact the force Snow Sports representative, Ms Alex Rebanks by internal email.

2006 top

Section inactive this year

2005 top

By Secretary Miss Alex Rebanks

I have just taken over as secretary and hope to organise a team and compete in the Police Sport UK Championships in Austria in February 2007.

2004 top

By Secretary PS John Fawcett

This newly formed section did not get off the ground soon enough to compete in January 2005. The Police Sport UK championships are held in Austria in January and requires a one week minimum stop over. In view of this interested members of the force needed to plan in advance their time-off and leave.

There are around 14 members of the force interested in competitive in ski and snowboarding. It is hope to forward plan better and attempt to send a team to the PSUK indoor Championships in July 2005.

2003 top

By Secretary PS John Fawcett

This newly formed section did not get off the ground soon enough to compete in January 2004. The Police Sport UK championships are held in Austria in January and requires a one week minimum stop over. In view of this interested members of the force needed to plan in advance their time-off and leave.

It is hope to send a team to the Championships in January 2005.

2002 top

Skiing Section formed