Record-breaking numbers of sailors and Royal Marines headed to the French Alps this year for the Navy’s own Winter Olympics – the annual ski and snowboard championships.

More than 1,400 serving and Reserves personnel headed to the ski resort of Les Menuires for the Royal Navy Winter Sports Association contest.

Overall champions of the event were Sgt Ross Barbour RM and CPO(PT) Carol Strong, who both defended their titles, while the snowboard winners were Hamlyn Terry and Michelle Bond.

The blue-riband event – the Command super giant slalom – was won by the Royal Marines team of Barbour, Michael Gent, Jon McMulkin and Steve Cotton.

Although the slopes were graced by very capable skiers during the race week, there were many examples of individual achievement and courage which epitomised the ethos of the championships.

Less-experienced skiers battled down the course with tremendous grit and determination, receiving great encouragement from the spectators.

And 240 ski and snowboard novices took part in the two beginners’ races under floodlights at Bruyeres and at the Montagnettes piste in La Croisette area.

Accompanied by music, vin chaud and a lively crowd, each finisher was greeted with a cheer – whether they crossed the line in style or in a tangle.

Teaching and instruction is a huge part of the championships and this year’s success in that area can be largely attributed to WO Tommy Wallace, the RNWSA’s chief instructor, and his team, as well as snowboard discipline manager Cdr John Gething’s team.

Besides conducting race training, they taught more than 200 complete beginners over the fortnight, as well as groups of intermediates.

The male and female winners in the first beginners’ races were Alastair Brown and Annabel Holmes in the skiing contest and snowboarders Andrew Scanlon and Emma Whitworth. In week two the first skiers to cross the line were Joseph Collins and Stephanie Patterson and Jonathan Stone and Georgina Patterson took the snowboard honours.

The increase in numbers, the huge skiing area offered by the resort and the state-of-the-art technology on hand at the race piste made the 2004 championships a particularly memorable occasion.

Even constant snow and rain during the first week could not dampen spirits at the event, which was attended by the RNWSA President Rear Admiral Mark Kerr, Naval Secretary and Director General Human Resources (Navy), and Capt David Goodall, chairman of RNWSA.

“The first year in a new resort, after four years in Les Arcs, was a resounding success,” said championships organiser Lt Cdr Chris Stanham.