The Courier & Advertiser (Perth and Perthshire Edition)
Swapping sunshine for the slopes is a success story for soldier Robbie
Angus man’s skiing skills earn place in big services contest
A soldier has swapped sun for snow to test his skills on the slopes in the British Army Telemark Skiing Championships.
The contest saw servicemen and women, including Second Lieutenant Robbie Houston from Forfar, descend on Pralognan-la-Vanoise in the French Alps to compete in Exercise Telemark Titan.
And his efforts saw him secure a spot representing the army in a big interservices contest this month.
The two-week military exercise, which attracted 80 competitors, tested not only the skiers’ skills but also their strength, stamina and character in icy conditions.
Robbie was, until recently, serving with his Leuchars-based regiment the Royal Scots Dragoon Guards in Cyprus on Op Tosca, a United Nations Operation.
He has now swapped the Mediterranean for the snow to test his endurance and ability in the Telemark discipline – a challenge incorporating downhill, jumping and cross country skiing.
The 25-year-old troop leader has skied all his life but since trying Telemarking five years ago he has not returned to Alpine skiing and is now establishing himself as an emerging talent in the army.
He said: “I wanted to try something different and challenge myself. It’s a sport that both pushes your fitness and challenges your confidence.
“When you are standing at the starting gate you have to be completely focused on the run ahead. You are nervous but you have to be positive to minimise mistakes.
“I like to visualise my positioning, going through the gates, landing cleanly and hitting the loom with speed to secure a fast time.
“The run is over so quickly its terrifying but also exciting.”
Finishing third in both the Championship Sprint and Classic races was not quite enough to see Robbie crowned the overall army champion.
However, it was enough to secure him a spot in the team to represent the army in this month’s Inter-services Championships in Meribel, France.
The run is over so quickly its terrifying but also exciting. ROBBIE HOUSTON