Soldier takes to the slopes (From Barry And District News)

Soldier takes to the slopes

BARRY Airtrooper Will Dop, has been testing his nerve and fitness to the limit in the Army's UK divisional ski championships in the French Alps.

He was one of 200 soldiers taking part in the Alpine section of the 10-day Exercise Spartan Hike in the resort of Serre Chevalier.

Will, 20, a member of an Army Air Corps ground crew team looking after helicopters, competed in the formidable Slalom and Grand Slalom competitions - skiing at speed down a course of over 1km through gates with as much as a 343 metre drop.

Will, a keen climber, had never raced on skis before December when he started training at the Royal Armoured Corps Ski Championships.

"It's really different from normal social skiing," he said.

"You have to learn how to turn at speed and the first race was nerve-wracking, but I really enjoy it now."

Will, whose parents Ray and Hilda Dop live in Barry, joined the Army three years ago.

He is currently based in Northern Ireland with 655 Squadron 5 Regiment Army Air Corps.