A student from Medway who had never picked up a pair of Nordic skis before this week has competed in the British Army Nordic Ski Championships in the French Alps.

Officer Cadet Tom Knighton, 20, joined team mates from the Southampton Universities’ Officer Training Corps team as they braved sub-zero temperatures to take part in Exercise Spartan Hike, The British Army Divisional Skiing Championships in Serre Chevalier.

266 competitors went head to head in the Nordic races; comprising of a series of long distance cross-country events, testing the soldiers' stamina and ability to work both both as a team and individually in extreme weather conditions.

Teams from each of the units also pushed themselves to the limit in the Military Patrol Race as they took to the foothills of the Alps in heavy snow, travelling more than 20km carrying Bergens and equipment weighing 40kg. The teams were judged on their turnout and preparation for the race before taking to the slopes in a tough test of mental and physical agility which saw them race through checkpoints, shoot targets on a 50m range, and ski across fields and bridges before climbing through wooded areas in deep snow.

The Biathlon event saw the Army's sharp shooters combine their skill on the range with a tough cross-country course, as they attempted to strike targets accurately using a .22 Anschutz rifle.

Despite his lack of experience, OCdt Knighton finished in the top 30 of the Novice Territorial Army competitors in the 5km Classic.

OCdt Knighton, who is currently in his first year of a degree in Sports Coaching Science at Chichester University, said: “Although I’ve done a bit of Alpine skiing before when I was given the opportunity to try Nordic I jumped at it. I just wanted to try something different that I’ve never done before.

"It’s quite a steep learning curve to be racing in the British Army Skiing Championships already.

“I find it a lot harder than Alpine, just in terms of physical fitness. It’s hard work but it’s fun and I’m enjoying being here with the rest of the team and giving it our best shot.”

OCdt Knighton attended Holmesdale Technology College before moving to Chichester to begin his degree. He is currently sponsored by the Army and has been in SUOTC for one year.