AN ARMY sergeant from Tavistock has taken part in the ski championships for Germany-based British soldiers in the French Alps, finishing 24th out of 143 in the individual grand slalom event.
After years playing rugby, Staff Sergeant Lloyd Morgan of 3 Close Support Battalion Royal Electrical Mechanical Engineers (REME) (pictured right) decided to take up skiing five years ago at the age of 30 as something to do during the mid season rugby winter break.
It is the 15th year that Germany-based 1 (UK) Armoured Division has held its championships at the French ski resort of Les Contamines de Montjoie near Mont Blanc.
Lloyd, who is married to Janet and has a 15 year old daughter Hannah, also took part in the challenge last year.
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, a 1km floodlit challenge, a 20km patrol race and downhill skiing.
Communications engineer Lloyd said: 'I love the adrenaline rush that downhill skiing gives you.
'Events like this are a large part of the reason why people join the army, a chance to do things they wouldn't normally do, but they are also an essential part of a soldier's adventure training — helping to develop their fitness and endurance levels and team working skills.'