Chippenham soldier trades in combat boots for skis
12:01pm Wednesday 20th February 2008 in Latest News
Captain Rich Ham from Chippenham took time out from normal duties to kick off his combat boots and don a pair of ski boots during the recent Army Alpine Ski Championships, Exercise Lions Challenge.
Set amid the stunning scenery of the French Alps and brilliant sunshine, the event saw over 100 competitors like Rich face some of the most dramatic and demanding races Alpine Skiing has to offer.
From the technical skills of the Giant Slalom and Slalom to the leg sapping adrenalin rush of the Downhill and Super Giant Slalom. Fastest of all events and by far the most daunting is the Downhill race. In a little less than a mile and a half the skiers reach speeds in excess of 75 miles an hour as they descend 2,200 ft in a minute and a half.
Racing on such challenging pistes is all the more impressive given that many of the soldiers such as Rich are in only their second season of racing.
Commenting on Lion's Challenge Rich said: "I just love the sheer excitement of the downhill when you hit a jump at top speed and fly through the air it's fantastic."
Rich has also been fortunate enough to have more than his team mates to cheer him on as his parents arrived mid way through the competition.
Rich completed a degree in Sport and Health Science at Southampton University, where he also found time to join the Officer Training Corps. Following in his father's footsteps, he then underwent training at the Royal Military Academy, Sandhurst and was Commissioned in 2004.
However, unlike his father who joined the Royal Signals (achieving the rank of Brigadier) Rich has opted to join The Rifles.
He is currently serving at the Army Training Regiment in Pirbright, Surrey and expects to deploy to Afghanistan later this year.
At the conclusion of the championships the best skiers will go on to represent the Army against the Royal Air Force and Royal Navy in the Inter-Services Championship at Meribel, one of the longest running ski races in the world.
