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The Winter Sports section recently returned from Hinterglemm in Austria after competing in the PSUK Snowsports Championships. Forces from around the U.K converged on the Austrian Alps for the annual event in January.
The twelve strong force team spent the week competing in Snowboard dual and team slalom races and the ski slalom, giant slalom and team dual slalom races.
Another successful trip for the force team resulted in more silverware for snowboarding’s Jon Beard who finished 8th overall and scooped the men’s vets prize. There were also credible performances from Paul Wardle-Millar, Dom Hupfield and from newcomer and force ladies snowboard champion Shonnan Carter-Philpott.
In the Giant Slalom, the ski team, consisting of Benny Benson, Dom Hupfield, Will O’Connor, Katie Hill and Mark Stokes finished a creditable 5th. Individually, Benny Benson also landed 5th spot in the men’s veteran’s race, whilst Will O’Connor was well inside the top 20 in the supervet’s department. Another debutant, Katie Hill, took the force ladies crown.
In the ski slalom race there were notable finishes by Gary Edwards and Danny Cooke, who both improved on previous times.
Thanks also go to Nanette Foran and Jay Hayes for their support with gatekeeping during the week.
If you are interested in attending next year’s event and racing on closed pistes but think you may not be up to standard, read the testimonials below!
Katie Hill who came for the first time said “Having loved Skiing for most of my life I was excited to go to the championships, I was not expecting it to exceed my expectations as much as it did. Start to finish I had the best week, not knowing anybody before I went, everybody was so friendly and it felt like a team straight away. The skiing in Saalbach was incredible, the competitions were so well organised and a lot of fun, not only to take part in, but watch too. The environment in the resort was amazing, with Police from different forces all coming together and socialising. I have some of the best memories from the week that I’ll never forget and I’m so glad I made the decision to go. Did I enjoy it? So much so I came straight back and booked the time off for next year”.
First time snowboard racer Shonnan Carter-Philpott said “The PSUK Winter Sports Championship 2019 was my first trip with the WMP Alpine Race Team. I’m relatively new to the force and a few months prior to joining I took up snowboarding as a hobby. I’d only been snowboarding abroad once before and had a few indoor sessions, so I was concerned my beginner level would prevent me from joining the team. In hindsight I had no reason to be worried! There was a great team atmosphere throughout and varying levels of skill within all of the competitions and faculties. From ski lift fiascos and meeting Lindsey Vonn, to completing my first ever race without falling over and landing my first ever box in the Snow Park, I had an unforgettable time. I am already excited for next year’s event and glad I took that jump and joined the team”.
For further information about the Winter Sports section, please contact either CI O’Connor (Lloyd House), DC 210 Benson (WMCTU) or PC 4280 Gardner (Operations) via Blue Pages.