EXERCISE BLUE VIXEN 2004 - CROSS COUNTRY SKIING

RHYTHM

Hup. hup. hup, hup! It’s the only way I can get the rhythm to keep the weight over one ski, off the other ski, let the ski without the weight glide and keep my head up! So, if that’s the rhythm for the legs, what about the arms? Cross-country skiing can be hard work, especially when you are trying to go uphill. On the other hand, it is fantastically exhilarating flying downhill on the prepared ski runs, through the trees and into the open where you can stop and the admire the breathtaking views of the Southern German countryside. When compared to other winter sports Cross-country skiing is very cheap, you don't need any expensive kit or ski passes, you get all the benefits of downhill skiing and improve your fitness and you don’t have to spend half of your time sitting on the snow, as you do when you learn to snowboard.

EXERCISE BLUE VIXEN

So, how do you give this sport a go? It is really easy. The RAF Biathlon Union sponsors a cross-country ski expedition, called EXERCISE BLUE VIXEN, to Zweisel in Southern Germany every January. The aim of the exercise is to introduce novice cross-country skiers to the sport, with the secondary aim of talent spotting potential recruits for the RAF Biathlon squad. The expedition is aimed at the novice skier, but we do accept people who are just keen to cross-country ski. You can either improve your skiing and take an advanced international ski test or join the touring group, which travels the German hills with an experienced local guide. We also always need instructors to volunteer to help us out.

THE BEST KEPT SECRET

A RAF PTI said to me on the final day of EXERCISE BLUE VIXEN 2004 that it was one of the best-kept secrets in the RAF. I was pleased that he had really enjoyed the exercise, but slightly disappointed that a PTI had never heard of the exercise or what we did. So, all of you out there who would like to join a fantastic winter expedition, this is the story of EXERCISE BLUE VIXEN 2004. This year the expedition took place over the period 17-24 January and 90 skiers from 13 different units arrived at Zweisel. Around 60 of the people who arrived at Zweisel, after a fly-drive via Munich or a drive via Ramstein or Rheindahlen, were complete novices. The format of the expedition has changed little over the past 25 years. Teams arrive mid afternoon on the Saturday and are shown into their self-catering chalet accommodation, which sleeps 7 comfortably. People who need ski equipment walk about 300 metres to the ski hire shop and are fitted with their cross-country ski kit, very comfortable leather boots and some ski poles. On the Sunday morning all the novices are invited for a warm-up and a grading ski with the British and German instructors. Following the grading of the novices, the 'experienced skiers' join the rest of the expedition; everyone is placed into a group of similar ability and the skiing ‘proper’ starts in the afternoon.

THE SKIING

Everyone will complete 6 days of skiing. Each group is allocated an instructor and all you have to do is learn to move forward, turn and stop. Naturally, there are some new words and techniques to learn like double poling, diagonal gait, step turn and the telemark. It is all very easy to say and to watch the German and British instructors; you would think it was really easy to do! Most people very quickly mastered the ‘bail out,’ that is throwing yourself sideways in the snow. Just as an aside, the snow this year was fantastic. It was cold, minus 15 to minus 21, clear and it snowed everyday: perfect skiing weather. On the Thursday of the exercise, all the novices took on and defeated the challenge of skiing up the highest peak in the area, the Arber. The Arber is 1456m high and the weather and snow were amazing. The trip is a steady climb of about 15Km, this sounds a lot, but it is worth every step. The views before the summit were spectacular and the Arber Witches, the names given to the snow covered trees, were very strange, yet beautiful. After a quick coffee and a bun on the summit, everyone made their way down the hill. It was a brilliant day in the hills.

THE TESTS

The final day of the skiing phase of the exercise is taken up with the tests for the International Langlauf Awards and 2 short time trials that assess the ability of the students to move across undulating ground. The tests are set and examined by the German Instructors and we all know what the Germans can be like when the rules need to be applied. I am pleased to say that everyone taking the Bronze award passed, however, less than a dozen people were awarded the Silver and only 2 were awarded the Gold. The German Instructors were hard but fair, giving everyone a second chance if they fluffed the first attempt at a skill. The relief at getting the tests over was clear to see in the laughing and pushing in the queue to start the individual and team time trials. The time trial is only 1 ½ Km long and takes about 6 to 9 minutes to complete.

THE LOCALS

Naturally, the German people who watched the massed group warm up with bemusement thought we were completely barking mad. This concept was reinforced when they saw the ineptitude of our skiing skills. However, it was great to watch a school sports afternoon with the local school kids (they were as young as 6) fly up the hill that we had all struggled up on day 1 of the expedition. Naturally, the town of Zweisel welcomes the tired skier; it has a superb swimming complex, with indoor and outdoor pool, sauna, steam pool and for the foolhardy, the cold plunge pool. It is true to say that the locals were also amazed by the gentleman from the expedition who was convinced by some rather cruel ‘friends’ that it was traditional to roll around in the snow after a sauna as it was good for the skin!

INTERESTED?

If you would like to have a go at the cross-country skiing, EXERCISE BLUE VIXEN is the way to do it. It is very cheap and it takes you to a fantastic part of Germany. You do not need to be incredibly fit, if you can pass your RAF fitness test, you can come on the expedition; all you do need is a sense of adventure and fun. Anyone interested in attending EXERCISE BLUE VIXEN 2005, over the period 8 – 15 January 2005 should contact their PEd Flt and ask for details. If the PEd Flt do not have any information, give me a ring: Sqn Ldr Spike Clark at RAF Wittering 95351 Ext 7453 or Flt Lt Mark Folley at RAF Honington 95991 Ext 7233. Do not worry if the your unit cannot raise a team, give us a call and we can put you in contact with someone who is raising a team near to you or you could organise your own trip and meet us all out at Zweisel. We can cater for up to 150 people in 2005, so get in touch.

POSTSCRIPT - BOB LACEY - BLUE VIXEN INSTRUCTOR

Tragically Sgt Bob Lacey was killed in a road traffic accident on 15 May 04. Bob was a brilliant instructor who had helped with the instruction on BLUE VIXEN over many years. Bob will be greatly missed by us all for his sense of fun and outstanding instruction. Our thoughts and best wishes go to his fiancé and family.