An Auchnagatt Army officer has been honing his military skills in the freezing environment of the snow capped French Alps.
Lt Niall Thomas McCracken (29), of Germany-based 35 Royal Engineer Regiment, has just competed in the alpine section of the Army skiing contest Exercise Pipedown, organised by 1 (UK) Armoured Division.
Former Mintlaw Academy student Niall has serv
ed in Canada, Cyprus, USA, Holland, Germany, Austria, France and Afghanistan where he is due to return in March.
Exercise Pipedown, is the ski championships for British soldiers based in Germany, but also open to some soldiers in the UK, and is held in the French ski resort of Les Contamines de Montjoie near Mont Blanc.
It provides an important opportunity to hone important adventurous training skills enhancing an individual's ability to withstand the rigors of operations and rapid deployments. It also offers the opportunity for novices and experts alike to ski under international competition rules.
Niall, whose parents Thomas and Valarie still live in Auchnagatt, said: "I got into skiing because I love being in the mountains and also the excitement. I also like the social side of alpine activities. It's quite a treat being here – a good experience, I am due to go back to Afghanistan in March so this will be one of the last opportunities to do some adventurous training before I deploy."
Alpine skiing is one of the most popular disciplines for military people, and is widely regarded as one of the fastest and physically demanding sports.
During the championships, soldiers' physical and mental strength is tested to the limit in a variety of individual and team events including a 10km biathlon sprint, a 4 X 10km relay, slaloms, downhill skiing a 1km floodlit challenge and a 20km military patrol race - an event designed to test soldiers in all the essential military skills expected of them on operations including marksmanship, map reading and physical endurance.
Cool runnings: Auchnagatt soldier Niall McCracken participates in Exercise Pipedown
Niall, who also enjoys snowboarding, riding, parachuting and travelling, added: "We all get a lot out of exercises like his, it builds up your character, makes you face your fears as you stare down a mountain.
"When you are at the top of a downhill run looking down it can be very scary, but you can't let that stop you.
"You also have to be fit and have good team work - which are essential in the Army. Events like this widen your horizons, expose you to a different environment and help you to adapt to new and different situations – all essential to life in the Army. It's hard work, physically demanding and tough."
This is the 16th year the Division has held its Championships at Les Contamines in the heart of the French Alps with 342 competing soldiers, making it the biggest Pipedown yet.
Major General Adrian Bradshaw, General Officer Commanding 1(UK) Armoured Division, said: "Exercises like this are an absolutely valid aspect of military activity which develops all the traits we expect soldiers to have on operations such as good marksmanship, fitness, coordination, teamwork, leadership and organisation, courage, boldness and cooperation – but it is also a chance for soldiers to enjoy themselves."
