Summary sentence: News from the Slopes. On the 24–27 January 2024, team Snow Camp were back for the annual Inter-Livery Ski Championships, as the official charity partner for this fantastic event.
In recent times, the word GOAT has taken on a new meaning as ‘Greatest Of All Time’, and with this in mind the Haberdashers’ Mountain Goats ventured to the picturesque slopes of Morzine to take part and compete in one of the most popular events in the annual Livery calendar, the Inter-Livery skiing competition.
In addition to this, 2024 marked the 6th year of Snow Camp being this event’s charity partner; a brilliant charity that has been harnessing the power of snow sports to break down barriers, broaden horizons and address social issues surrounding disadvantaged young people.
On the 24 January, they delivered a Team Triathlon competition for 29 livery teams consisting of 4 members, each taking part in the Giant Slalom race on the Nyon piste, a Biathlon shooting challenge and Snow-shoe hike.
On Days 2 and 3, the Haberdasher Mountain Goats joined over 230 others from across the Livery world, for some challenging parallel and giant slalom racing. Despite the icy conditions and warm sun beating down on the slopes, many very respectable ski racing times were achieved, in particular, George and Charlie Barrow who finished 8th and 20th respectively. I was humbled to be shown that age is just a number as I was soundly beaten by a 70-year-old skier, whilst the oldest competitor was over 80 years old.
By far the most important aspect of the whole event was the fundraising, in which over £57,000 was raised for Snow Camp, the largest total since the partnership started in [please check the year], reflecting the tremendous generosity and collective support of the many Livery companies attending. However, the ‘Greatest Of All Time’ status can only go to one and, very pleasingly it went to the Haberdashers’ Mountain Goats who won the award for the most Philanthropic Company raising over £2600 (+£580 Gift Aid) with a further £2000 kindly donated by the Company. Thank you all for your incredibly generous donations and support, a truly inspirational company wide effort yet again proving what being a Haberdasher truly means.
Furthermore, the Mountain Goats collected the winner’s trophy for the Team Triathlon, with a stellar performance from Huw Power, George Barrow, Charlie Barrow and Alex Craig. I would like to say a huge thank you to Simon and Beth Cartmell for their very kind hospitality and hosting, to Kitty Power for braving the slopes for the first time, and to our Captain, Past Master James Kininmonth for his tireless organisation.
The team were also delighted to induct four new ski team members, who all thoroughly enjoyed their first Habs trip out to the slopes, and I would strongly encourage all those members of the Company, regardless of age or skiing ability, to think about joining us and taking part in next year’s exciting rerun.
Alex Craig, member of the Freedom and Haberdasher Mountain Goats Ski Team
