Day Five - Final Race - Slalom

Friday 8th February 2008

The skiers completed there programme today with the slalom in perfect conditions. Held over two runs the women's event was a very exciting battle, with the RAF's Caitlin Wroe just squeezing in to beat Army Captain Nikki Porter, to deny her a grand slam of individual titles.

The outstanding man here this week, Army Captain Nick Binnington was again the fastest serviceman on the course, with the RAF's Steve Macdonald second.

But it was the Army's title in both the men's and women's slalom today, to complete a clean sweep of victories in this year's championships.

Day Four - Skiing & Snowboarding

Thursday 7th February 2008

It's been a busy day at the services skiing and snowboarding championships in France. Perfect weather in Meribel meant both the snowboarding events, which had been postponed during the week could take place.

In the morning the Boardercross produced an excellent competition.  Men's champion was Kev Clarke, with Neil Smith second and Neil Crouchman third, though he suffered a serious injury to his hand and has had surgery on it. The women's winner was Sarah Marriott (her second title here), Donna Hargreaves of the RAF was second and Danni Stone was third. The Army were team winners in both events.

This afternoon they held their Slope Style event, postponed from Monday. The women's results mirror the boarder cross, but with Danni Stone the winner. For the men there was an excellent victory for Si Nicholson of the Army, Jermaine Thimbaud of the RAF was second and third place went to Ben Shropshire of the Army.

The skiers were back on the slopes for the Super G event. The Armyhave virtually nailed both the men's a women's championships after today's action. Men's Super G champion was Matt Shepherd in 1.25.73, nearly two seconds faster than his nearest rival Steve McDonald of the RAF.  Third was Army captain Nick Binnington, who has been selected to captain the British Combined Services team at the British championships next month.

There was some controversy in the women's event.  Two Army skiers were initially disqualified for wearing the wrong numbered bibs, but they were re-instated after appeal and Nikki Porter won her third title in 1.33.75. The RAF's Dawn Harley was second and Rachael Cooper of the Army 3rd.

Day Three - Giant Slalom

Wednesday 6th February 2008

Day three of the Inter services skiing and snowboarding championships in Meribel has been another good one for the Army skiers.  After dominating the downhill yesterday, their men's captain Nick Binnington of the Light Dragoons has won the Giant Slalom, with his team mate Chris McCouert Second. The RAF's Steve MacDonald was third.

In the women's event better news for the RAF, their number 1 Caitlin Wroe, who crashed out of yesterday's downhill, came second today, followed by Dawn Harley, adding to her prodium place yesterday. But the winner was again the number 1 service skier here, Germany based major Nicky Porter.

The Giant Slalom replaced the Super G which had due to be held today, but the light snow and sleety conditions were better suited to the giant Slalom.

Day Two - Snowboarders light up the piste

Tuesday 5th February 2008

In the women's floodlit parallel giant slalom Cpl Sarah Marriott just edged out Flt Lt Lindsay Rodger.  The small final gave Danni Stone third place ahead of Capt Chrissie Elesmore.

Men's final first leg CPO Mick Arrowsmith left himself with an uphill struggle after a disastrous first leg.  He beat SSgt Andy Moore but not by quite enough on the aggregate time.  Thirdy and fourth was fought over by Si Nicolson from the Army who beat the RAF's Neil Crouchman.

Day Two - Army Sweep the Board in the Downhill

Tuesday 5th February 2008

The Army team have swept the board in the Downhill skiing race this morning.

In the women's event Major Nicky Porter, based in Gutersloh was first on the piste and recorded the best British time of 1.40.74". She was followed by her Army team mate Capt Rachel Cooper. The RAF's top skier Caitlin Wroe suffered a nasty crash at the bottom of the slope. Their best placed skier was Dawn Harley who finished third.

In the men's competition the Army also dominated. Team captain Nick Binnington produced 1.32.45, just beating his team mates Matt Shepherd and Dougie McPherson. Top placed RAF man was Richard Fawkes on 1.34.18, with the highest Navy man Rob Simmons on 1.39.44.

They race again tomorrow in the Super G.

Day One - Wiped Out By The Weather

Monday 4th February 2008

Heavy snow in the French Alps has wiped out the first day of competition at the Services skiing and snow boarding championships in Meribel.

The snow came mid-morning just as the snow boarders were getting into their first and brand new competition, the Slope Style event. After a couple of runs, the plugs were pulled as the snow and poor visibility made the conditions dangerous. They now hope to stage the event on Friday after all other competitions have been completed.

The same fate befell the Alpine skiers, holding their second timed practice for tomorrow's downhill.

The women's second run was abandoned half way through, with the men only getting one run before the weather closed in. Even before the snow came, timings were on average five seconds slower than on Sunday when the skiers enjoyed perfect piste in cloudless skies.

But that's the reality of Alpine weather. It's hoped tomorrow the Blue ribbon event won't be affected and will be able to go ahead.

Opening Ceremony

Sunday 3rd February 2008

The 2008 ISSSC was officially opened tonight at the Patinoire in Meribel, the Ice Rink Constructed for the 1992 Winter Olympics.

In his opening speech the President of Combined Services Winter Sports AVM Kevin Leeson welcomed all the competitors to an event, which has now been running in some form since 1914.

He said "the aim of the CWSA was to provide high quality racing as befits the accomplishment of the competitors in getting this far to represent their service".   And he wanted to thank to the organising team from the resort for all their help in staging the events, for both skiers and snowboarders.

Extending a warm welcome to the British military, the Mayor of Meribel Thierry Monin said he hoped believed last year's championships, which were held here had been a great success and said it was a pleasure to be hosting them again.

The big news from the Alpine slopes is that the RAF's star skier Roger Cruickshank is expected to take part, but only after Tuesday's Downhill.  He is completing the latest stage in his fast jet pilot training, and will miss the blue ribbon event.  It means the Army men's skiers, led by Nick Binnington, have a great chance to make an early mark on the RAF.  Three new Navy skiers will be thrown in at the deep end on Tuesday's Down hill.

It is very dissappointing that there is no Navy Women's team here.  A combinination of operational commitments, injuries and other unavailabilty, means the navy cannot raise a team.  Only the RAF and Army are here.   But there promises to be a right battle both in the team competition and for the individual titles. The Army Captain Nicky Porter will be up against her former team mate Sophie Paull, who is determined to lead the RAF girls to a third successive title, despite suffering a heavy fall today in practice.

The Snow boarders have been preparing today for Monday's new event, the Slope Style. Last year the event was run as a demonstration sports with Emmett Cox and Danni Stone the respective winners.   The Navy's Mick Arrowsmith suffered a dislocated shoulder during practice today, but amazingly still hopes to ride in the finals.

Disabled Skiiers

During the championships we featured a special report on some of the disabled skiiers taking part in the event. The military's thrilled to have them involved in the week, and with initiatives like “Battle Back”, it's working towards including a disabled category in the competition in future years.

For the report, Julie got to know Talan Skeels-Piggins, a former RN Lieutenant who made history after his motorcycle accident, by being allowed to remain in the Royal Navy Reserve. He won't go to sea, though, because his injuries have left him paralysed from the chest down.

“After his devastating accident five years ago, Talan was determined it wouldn't put a stop to his very active life,” Julie says. “Spending time with him was so remarkable, because I saw someone who could have done things an easier way, but he chooses to push, to challenge, to stretch his limitations, at every turn.”

Now a member of the development squad for the British disabled ski team, Talan's spending four months in France. It's intensive training, which he hopes will lead to selection for the Winter Olympics in 2010. He told BFBS that when he's carving his way down a mountain on his sit-ski, he's not disabled: he's as independent as anyone else on the piste – and that gives him the biggest thrill of all.

“It is cold and tiring being out on the slopes all day. I was pretty fed up a few times”, laughs Julie. “But I can jump about and give myself a shake to bring heat back into my body. Talan can't do that – I saw him exhausted, freezing, and in terrible discomfort. But he's a true inspiration, an example of what can be achieved by people who won't give up.”

COMPETITION

The Competition to win a week's accommodation and lift passes for 2 people is now closed.  The answer will be revealed and the winner picked live on BFBS Reports on Friday 8th February.

Preview

Back again for a second year, the service snow boarders and skiers have returned to the pretty French Alpine Resort of Meribel to tackle its pistes and runs. Jon Knighton looks ahead to the championships.

The atmosphere in this town is always quite British, because so many ex pats live here, but when the competitions come to town it really feels like a little bit of the UK tucked away in the Alps. That is perhaps what attracted Colonel Peter Lindsay who first came here in 1938 to return and complete the job of creating the resort after the end of World War 2 in 1945.

Both the snow boarders and the Alpine skiers have plenty to look forward to. The snow board teams have a brand new competition called Slopestyle to demonstrate their skills with flips, jumps and rolls. It was tried last year as a demonstration event, but the added pressure of competition will be relished by the likes of the Navy's Mike Arrowsmith, who has been training with the GB Olympic Development Squad. The men's events promise to be really close again, with Andy Moore of the Army, and the RAF's Si Abra and Jim Smith leading their challenge.

The women's events looks a two horse race again between the Army and the RAF. Chris Elsmore and Dani Stone dominated last year with Tamsin Evans of the RAF hard on their heels. The Navy's Suzzi Cooke has had a good run up to Meribel and hopes to lead a challenge from the senior service.

The events all kick off on Sunday with Alpine Downhill and Slopestyle training, followed by the opening ceremony in the Patinoire Meribel a superb ice rink built to Olympic standard.

On Monday the Slope Style finals will take place, with the skiers getting a second training day for the down hill.

Tuesday is a busy day for both teams as the skiers do the downhill for real. The RAF will be favourites if Roger Cruickshank is in their ranks. The Army's top racers Nick Binnington and Matt Shepherd have been flying at their championships and for the Navy Cowan, Aeron Hewitt and Rob Corckran, will be aiming to help Debs Batacaharia keep them competitive. The Snowboarders will hold their technical slalom training on Tuesday with a floodlit final in the evening.

On Wednesday the skiers hold their Super G and if current form is anything to go by the Army's Nicki Porter, their team captain this year and Rachel Cooper will be nip and tuck as they challenge the RAF girls who have held the inter services title for the past three years . Last year the RAF team were very consistent, with Sally Docherty, Dawn Harley and Sophie Paul making a strong platform for the up and coming stars Caitlin Wroe and Sam Westcott.

Thursday's action is centred round the Alpine Giant Slalom and the boarders have their most exciting race event the Snowboardcross.

My feeling is that the skiing title could rest of Friday's Slalom competition.

What ever happens, it promises to be an exciting week.

Coverage

The BFBS Sports team will be providing comprehensive coverage of the Championships.  Will the RAF be the fastest fliers down the Alpine tracks?  How will the snowboarders cope with their new competition this year "Slope Style"?  And who will be the best of the disabled athletes competing here?  We hope to be answering all those question and many more throughout the week

TV Coverage

On BFBS TV right across the week of the championhips we will be broadcasting live by satellite into BFBS Reports on Monday 4th, Wednesday 6th & Friday 8th of February.  Each evening Jon Knighton and Julie Knox will be reporting into the programme with coverage of all the main events.  They will also be focusing on other aspects of the championships, including the work of the slope teams and emergency services in Meribel, who keep people safe.  We can guarantee some of the most stunning video shots from the slopes.

Radio Coverage

BFBS Radio will have all the news, to keep forces listeners right across the work in touch with how their service teams are performing.  And for the first time we will be broadcasting from Meribel right across the UK on DAB Digital Radio from the slopes themselves

Website

BFBS Sport here on our web pages with daily updates and the best pictures from the snowboarding and Alpine skiing events along with all the stories around the event.

You can email us throughout the championships with your views, questions, comments and messages... sport@bfbs.com