County News
County Gallery (for lots more pictures)
Exercise Ski Cadet 2008
Ex Snow Cadet is an Adventurous Training, Skiing Exercise conducted in the Austrian Tyrol. The aim of the expedition is to conduct arduous and challenging training at altitude, to test the individuals in Alpine skills and introduce them to skiing (Alpine). The Expedition aims to qualify Adult/Cadets to Basic Skiing Proficiency (BSP). In addition to the Skiing, DofE qualifications would be awarded to those Cadets eligible to qualify for Bronze/Silver Award and to cover some aspects towards the Gold.
This years event was another resounding sucess, the variety of ski disciplines and locations was up to its usual high standard and we were conveniently located for the ski areas, local shops and evening activities.
All members of the expedition thoroughly enjoyed themselves and gained ski qualifications (military and civilian) as well as new experiences. The expedition has developed personalities, improved teamwork and proved a tremendous incentive for the retention of cadets. A further expedition has been planned for 13-22 February 2009.
On of the extra evening activities was ice go carting. The following is a brief write up from Cdt Zoe Young………………
After an exciting and exhausting long
day of skiing our first night activity of our Ski Cadet Exercise was ice
go karting. We had been breifed about what to wear and the necessary details
earlyer on in the evening and I was looking forward to the new experience.
At 7pm all of us cadets boarded the coach with our adult instructors and
travelled down to the karting track where we were put into groups of 6
ready to race each other. Being in the first group I went over to the
side to find a helmet and got into my go kart. It was a good job we were
given the chance to have a few practice laps as I had never been in a
go kart before and was unsure of which pedal was which! Having mastered
how to work the go kart and get round the icy track without crashing,
Major Masson lined every one up and the race commmenced. With four boys
and only one other girls in the race I was certain I didn’t have
a chance, however the lads went too fast around the slippery corners and
lost control resulting in crashing meaning after six laps I had managed
to creep to the front and win. Every one was very supportive to one another
and stood on the side line cheering the other cadets on when waiting for
their go. The winner of each heat got to race against eachother and after
six races me and the five other finalists got into our karts ready and
waiting for the flag to be lowered. Being the only girl in the race all
of the other females were cheering for me, I wanted to do well for the
girls and also to rub it in with all the males as they said that girls
are hopeless at driving! I used my same tactics of breaking just before
the corners and then picking up speed on the straight to be on the safe
side. I over took all those who crashed and after several laps managed
to bring it home for the girls. For the last three years a female has
won, the previous year being my good friend Cpl Franki Moreton. Hopefuly
next year the girls wil be victorious again! Bring on the girl power!
I thoroughly enjoyed every part of the evening and would strongly recommend
it.
