With the lack of any Interservices riding taking place in 2021 due to COVID it was wonderful to start the season with such energy and determination picking up where we all left off at the end of the 2020 season. The Run this season was proving as challenging as ever, each rider having to learn the nuances only a hand-built track offers. The RAC were well represented with 12 beginners, being made up of 6 Officers and 6 other junior ranks from 4 different Regiments.

The Army was fortunate in running its beginners and novice week before Top opens, allowing significantly more riding time for the new riders who were keen to test their mettle against the ice. Under the careful guidance and mentoring of Capt George Packe-Drury-Lowe (16 Med Regt), the seasons stand in Captain in the absence of Maj Tom Wythe (Royal Lancers), the beginners showed promise and were able to improve their times convincingly across the board. Capt Scott Pryor (Kings Royal Hussars) was also on hand to deliver further valuable lessons to those who were able to stay in. Maj Paul Chishick (Life Guards) also over saw the first week, providing valuable oversight and guidance.

The Army junction Championships took place on 14 Jan 22, comprising three races held within a regular practice day, The Novice Cup, The Junction Open and the 17^th/21^st Lancers Inter-Regimental Cup. Competition was tight with many riders putting in their best times, the ice being in great condition, which sadly caught out over half of the field and saw them soar out at shuttlecock and land safely in the straw. Due to the nature of some of race rules this didn’t necessarily see the initial fallers out of the competition. The Novice Cup and 17^th/21^st Lancers Cup require all participants to complete three courses successfully, whereas The Junction Open takes the fastest two courses, allowing people to find their limits or have a fall. When the dust and snow had settled, the results were collated announcing the winners of the 17^th/21^st Lancers Cup as Capt Pryor and Capt Vickers for the Army Air Corps. The Novice Cup was taken by Ct Wallace (Blues and Royals), followed closely by Tpr Whittaker (Life Guards) and third place held by 2Lt Robathan (Coldm Gds). The Junction Open race was won by Ct Wallace, in second place Capt Vickers and in third place Tpr Whittaker. Following the identification of potential amongst the beginners the offer to stay out for some further training and the opportunity to qualify for Top was extended to a number of individuals, rewarding their hard work and diligence.

With the completion of the Army Junction races focus switched to Top and preparing for the Interservices race. The Army was looking in good shape, with many riders achieving their personal bests in the days leading up to the main event.

Prior to the Interservices race day the Army holds the Top Championship for The Scots Guards Cup, this season falling on 01 Feb 22. Competition for the highly coveted cup was as strong as ever, along with a spot on the Army team up for grabs the Army Top riders put in some great rides. The unexpected arrival of Maj Tom Wythe, granted special permission from ICSC(L) to take part in the Interservices race, changed the dynamic slightly, the RAF and Royal Navy were now looking a little more concerned at the competition. With the results confirmed, Maj Wythe won the Scots Guards Cup, Capt Packe-Drury-Lowe was a close second and Maj Jack Barnes (Blues and Royals) came in third. LCpl Will Fairbairn (Blues and Royals) and LCpl Che Burnett (Life Guards) both earned their places on the Army team and with it their highly sought after Army winter sports jumpers. Capt Pryor also made the cut, completing the team sheet for the Interservices race.

As race day approached all eyes were on the weather, after weeks of clear, cold conditions snow clouds were forming in the Engadine valley. Snow fell at a heavy pace throughout the morning, arguably the worst riding conditions that anyone had seen in many years. Despite this setback Maj Wythe posted a 55.42s on his first ride, this proved to be the fastest ride of the day by over a second and secured the Auty speed cup, his subsequent rides were both over 2.5s slower but still proved to be the fastest rides of each course, testament to the heavy snow, these also secured the Lord Trenchard trophy. As the courses progressed the standings for the Prince Philip cup were too close to call, clarification of the rules for the race had been agreed between the Service Captains some time before, taking the fastest four times from each Service per course. Capt Pryor sadly fell on the first course suffering a dislocated shoulder, thankfully Samedan hospital are well practised in dealing with all Cresta related injuries and were able to patch him up in quick time. Once all the riding was finished and the calculations were finalised the results were announced. The Army won the Prince Philip Cup, the Royal Navy were second by less than a second and the RAF were third, just over a second behind them, it was the closest result with all three Services finishing within 2.6s of each other. Maj Wythe had a clean sweep for the third consecutive season, with the Army holding on to the Prince Philip Cup. Flight Sergeant Barnes was second in the individual race, posting some brilliant times and ending a hugely successful second season. Capt Packe-Drury-Lowe was third, bringing home more silver for the Army.

The Harland (Top Handicap) was won by Lt Homer RN with an aggregate time of 163.42. First in for the Army was scratch man and Top record holder, Capt The Lord Wrottesley, Grenadier Guards (Retd) came forth. LCpl McNally (Blues and Royals) made a welcome return to the Run following a broken ankle on day one of the season in 2020, proving his determination by posting some respectable times in a top race. Ct Wallace couldn’t quite resist the straw of Shuttlecock, taking a tumble in the second course.

The Services’ Silver Spoon (Junction Handicap) was won by Surg Lt Owen-Smith RN. The highest placing Army rider was the scratch man 2Lt Villiers-Smith (Grenadier Guards) coming fourth.

The Services Ladies’ Race was won by Sqn Ldr Maddie Smith RAF with a 9 second lead over her fellow riders. 2Lt Evans (39 Signal Regiment) was second and Lt McDermott (Royal Lancers) was fifth. Sadly, the Army Ladies were third overall, however the standings were very close, less than six seconds between the three Services.

Army Cresta has had a fantastic season and is in as strong a position as it ever has been. The 2023 season has the potential to be every bit as exciting. This season would not have got off the ground or been able to run without the hard work and dedication from Maj Paul Chishick, and Capts George Packe-Drury-Lowe and Scott Pryor, I am hugely indebted to all their hard work both prior to and during the season. The RAC continue to back Army Cresta, without which the opportunity to participate would not be viable, as such thank you for your continued support. As a wonderful end note Capt Packe-Drury-Lowe won his club colours, finishing seventh in the Morgan. He is the sixth member of the Army to win his colours.

The Cresta is a ¾ mile long ice run that winds its way from above the “Leaning Tower” in St Moritz down a steep gully through 10 testing corners, past the tiny hamlet of Cresta to the village of Celerina. The total drop is 514 feet and the gradient varies from 1 in 2.8 to 1 in 8.7.

The first Run was completed in January 1885 and took nearly 9 weeks to build. The Cresta Run is still built from scratch every year using the natural contours of the valley and earth banks to provide a framework on which to pile the snow. The Run from Junction is built first, the upper banks second. The Cresta usually opens just before Christmas and continues for 9 weeks until the end of February. There are over 30 competitive races and riding takes place every morning.

The Cresta has two starting points – Top and Junction. Only four riders have broken the 51 second barrier from Top, which gives an average speed of over 53 mph, ending at Finish at a speed close to 80 mph. The record from Junction is 41.27 seconds although beginners, who also start from Junction, are encouraged to aim for 65 -70 seconds. Riders brake using the rakes on their boots and if they are out of control they are certain to go out at Shuttlecock, the most famous corner of the Run. Fallers at Shuttlecock automatically become members of the Shuttlecock Club and are entitled to wear a Shuttlecock tie.