Ex SPARTAN HIKE NORDIC TEAM CAPTAINS’ BRIEF

1. Ex SPARTAN HIKENORDIC TEAM CAPTAINS’ BRIEF Maj Richard Barrett RLC(V) Lt Col Charles Bromley Gardner MBE QRH

2. Introduction • Who are we? Contact emails: • RLCRHQ-Pers-SO2PlansSPSO@mod.uk • Charles.bromleygardner199@mod.uk • charlesbg@btinternet.com – Registration email • Agenda • Programme • Competition Format • Registration & Race Entry • Military Patrol Race: Composition & Equipment • Army Championships Qualification • Specific rifle issues • Miscellaneous • Ask questions as they arise • Copy of slides will be emailed to addresses provided

3. Nordic Race Programme

4. Nordic Competitions • 4 x 5km XC Classic Relay Mon pm/Tue am • Classic technique • One loop per lap, 16 mins (men), 20 mins (women) fastest times • Two Mass Starts (Male and Female) 2 mins apart • 15km (10km) XC Classic Individual and Team Wed am • Classic technique, 15km men / 10km women • 2-3 loop course; 40-45 min winning time (both men & women) • Pairs start, every 30 secs (will still take 75 mins) • Declare 4 competitors, best 3 times count for team result • Biathlon Individual and Team Fri am • 4 shoots (P-S-P-S) each 5 targets 5 rounds; 120m (c 30 sec) penalty loop for targets left • c 12.5km men / 10km women; 40-45 min winning time (both men & women) • Single starts, every 20 secs (will take 90 mins) • Declare 4 competitors, best 3 times count for team result • 4 x 7.5km (4 x 6km) Biathlon Relay Sat am • 2 shoots (P-S), each 5 targets 8 rounds; 120m (c 30 sec) penalty loop for targets left • 7.5km men / 6km women, 25-30 mins fastest time (both men & women) • Two Mass Starts (Male and Female) 5 mins apart • Military Patrol Race Mon am • c 20km marked route; 2h30m (men), 3h30m (women) ski time • Rucksacks and SA80A2 totalling 40kg per Patrol • 10 targets 10 rounds per patrol member; 1 min penalty for targets missed • Military event up to Start Line (orders, preparation, inspection), thereafter race to Finish • Each Patrol starts 4 minutes apart

5. Nordic Championships Programme

6. Registration and Race Entry Form

7. 51 Highland Bn Registration and Race Entry Form

8. 51 Highland Bn Registration and Race Entry Form 14

9. 51 Highland Bn Registration and Race Entry Form 14

10. Military Patrol Race Composition • Rank Structure: “No team will qualify for the Army Championships if it cannot fulfil the Military Patrol Race rank structure at Ex RUCKSACK” (AWSA Rules 2014 Annex C, Para C.5). Substantive ranks: • Offr (or WO for minor/female units) • NCO – LCpl to WO1 (junior to Ptrl Comd) • 2x LCpls or Ptes • UOTCs • Male: Offr/SUO/JUO; 3x OCdts of any rank • Female: 4x OCdts of any rank • Reserve units:at least 3x Reservists • HQs/ARTD: “four serving military personnel of any rank, striving to achieve equivalence to the normal rules from within their squad”.

11. Military Patrol Race Equipment • AWSA Nordic Rules 2014, Section 5: • http://www.awsa.org.uk/regulations/ • SH15 Admin Order, Annex F

12. Army Championships Qualification • Annex C to AWSA Nordic Race Rules 2014 • Male Teams (22 qualifiers): • Correct Military Patrol Race composition • Based on cumulative team position in Qualifying Competitions (all except Military Patrol Race) • Top 6 teams at SH & PD qualify as of right (= 12) • Next 7 teams qualify by comparing relative performances against average times of teams 2-5 at SH or PD as appropriate (= 19) • Both SH & PD qualify a ‘Wild Card’ – normally at SH based on cumulative team position after all races (= 21) • Chairman BANSC ‘Wild Card’ selected from either SH or PD • Female Individuals (c 25 qualifiers): • National Squad athletes • First 3 non-National Squad in each Qualifying Competition (XC & Biathlon Individual) (= 6-12) • Remainder based on % behind total average time of those in Bullet 2 • Others required to complete Female Corps teams of 4-5 competitors • Male Individuals (variable): • Those replaced in qualified unit teams by National Squad athletes • “’Good’ skiers (usually an outstanding novice or junior prospect) from teams that have not qualified” based on XC and Biathlon Individual competitions

13. Biathlon Rifles & SA80s • Security • Biathlon rifles: separate stock/barrel from bolt and from ammunition – disperse the weapon system • SA80s: treat as military weapon; centralised armoury. No 5.56mm working parts. • Accommodation will be checked during SH15. • Safety – weapon handling • Biathlon rifle – bolt action; IBU rules • SA80 – blowback; MOD regulations • Weapon Handling Test certificates • Administration • Serial numbers – Issue Vouchers • Left – Right handed firers • Firing positions • Correct instruction

14. Biathlon Rifle Maintenance - Warning • Non Service Pattern Light Weapons Handbook Fourth Edition – 2014 • Figure 4.8 (Fortner Rifle bolt stripping) is MISLEADING • “The bolt should only be stripped to this stage by a specialist” (Para 0405c)

15. Miscellaneous • Accommodation • Waxing facilities • Vehicles • Ski equipment • Pre-SH Training • Loipe passes • Medical • Rollerskis • Leadership & discipline • Benefits of nordic skiing

16. Any Questions? • Copy of slides will be emailed to addresses provided