The first Inter-Livery Ski Championships (ILSC) took place in 2010 and has gained momentum every year since to become one of the most popular events in the Livery Companies’ annual calendar.

The ILSC 2024 returned to the resort of Morzine in France. The Company of Entrepreneurs Snow Dragons ski team was out in force, with a record five competitors taking part.

Following diligent preparations in the UK (see How to Train Your [Snow] Dragon (Part I) ), the Snow Dragons converged on the small Alpine town, alongside 300-odd Livery Company representatives and friends.

The Championships themselves were to be held in the latter part of the week, but, ever-professional, the Entrepreneurs wanted as much time as possible to practice out on the slopes, and so arrived on the Saturday, eager to get started. It was a shrewd decision. The Snow Dragons had the very best of the weather at the start of the week, and, with blue skies overhead, the intrepid quintet made its way out onto the slopes of the Portes de Soleil to warm up. Sadly, the weather was also warming up, and temperatures were well into double figures by the middle of the week. With the snow retreating rapidly from the lower slopes, there were anxious faces around the dinner table each evening as the Snow Dragons chased the best of the powder.

As well as fellowship and gentle competition, the ILSC is principally a vector for charity, and Wednesday’s triathlon challenge was in aid of the ILSC charity partner, Snow Camp. Support for this competition was very strong and many Livery Companies entered several teams to compete in the combined disciplines of skiing, snowshoeing, and shooting. Snow Dragon Simon West gamely stepped in to make up a Shipwrights’ team, and was delighted to add significantly to their performance.

Thursday’s qualifying session dawned unnervingly bright and sunny and, sweltering in their skiing apparel, the Snow Dragons made their way to the qualifying slopes. A parallel short slalom course had been laid out – enabling two competitors to ski side-by-side. The seeding had been based on performance in 2023, and the Team Captain and the Clerk were seeded at 69 and 81 respectively. Despite the wicked holes and bumps on the qualifying course, both Stephen and the Clerk made it to the bottom unscathed and recorded respectable qualifying times. First-timers Amy Hopper, Damian McLaughlin, and Simon West were given arbitrary start positions, and the worsening conditions resulted in some difficult runs. Nevertheless, given the opportunity to revisit the course, all five Snow Dragons recorded times. The results of the qualifying placed Simon West at 69, Stephen Wheatley at 77, the Clerk at 80, Amy Hopper at 167, and Damien McLaughlin at 184.

Thursday evening’s drinks reception was magnificently catered, with the ILSC’s wine sponsor supplying jeroboams of fine Beaujolais to accompany the plentiful canapés. The Snow Dragons, resplendent in their matching Entrepreneurs’ sweatshirts, renewed old acquaintances and made new friends. An impromptu auction added to the triathlon fundraising totals, and over £57,000 was raised for Snow Camp. A fitting end to a long day, and showing dependable entrepreneurial flair in the face of some slightly mismatched restaurant reservations, the team supper that evening was hastily pivoted to a nearby kebab shop.

Race day saw no improvement in conditions (either of the piste or the competitors), and certainly no fresh snow. Nevertheless, over 200 competitors made their way to the giant slalom slope and admired the highly professional set up by the ESF, who had managed to pull together as much snow as they could from surrounding slopes to increase the depth of the competition piste. The ESF deployed M Gregory Lagoutte to record the official course time. Tucked tightly, M Lagoutte completed the course in a blistering 30.78s as most of the Livery visitors looked on in awe.

There was equal nervousness amongst the first timers and old hands, but, before long, the fastest qualifier (Vintner Ali Mabey) burst from the start gate and made his way successfully, and quickly (33.58s), to the bottom.

The fastest of the Snow Dragons to qualify, Freeman Simon West, took the first run on behalf of the Entrepreneurs.  His time was highly impressive and a benchmark was clearly set for the Team Captain and the Clerk, who were to follow in quick succession. Amy Hopper and Damien McLaughlin performed brilliantly, and the Team Captain was delighted that all five had finished the course without incident.

There were thrills and spills to be had as racers of all standards tried their best to record their quickest result, and as the day progressed, there were some falls, but thankfully no significant injuries. Special mention must be made of Past Master International Banker, Mr Mark Sismy-Durrant, the day’s most careful skier, who despite a couple of tumbles, finished the course to the deafening cheers of the supporters and onlookers.

The conveniently-located Nyon restaurant was the scene for a very convivial lunch. Livery competitors and their guests thronged the Alpine restaurant to enjoy both excellent food and drink and high-spirited fellowship. Toasting, singing, and revelry was enjoyed by all - though some discreetly returned to the slopes for some final few hours of recreational skiing.

The Friday evening dinner and awards presentation is one of the finest examples of Livery fellowship outside of the City of London. Over 300 people packed into the Hôtel Club Le Crêt, and the Ironmongers organising team took to the stage to congratulate all competitors on their fortitude. Trophies (including the “Most Improved Skier” – lately returned by the Clerk) and awards were presented long into the evening, punctuated by photographs and speeches. With wine flowing freely and good food and company to be had, the Entrepreneurs (sharing their tables with members of the Stationers’ Company) were delighted to be there. Former Lord Mayor and current Master Grocer, Sir Charles Bowman, was highly complimentary about the team’s performance both on and off the slopes, and the Snow Dragons were delighted to toast the health of the Grocers’ team.

The Actuaries’ Company sprinkled some democratising magic over the raw results, handicapping the competitors by age. The consequent rearrangement of competitors made for energising dinner conversation!

To round off a magnificent evening, the Clerk and Simon West were delighted to learn that they had finished just within the ESF medal categorisation (taking argent and fléchette medals respectively).

For the raw results table, see: Results-GEANT-SLALOM-FRIDAY.pdf (liveryskiing.com)

For a list of handicapped times and prizes, see: Prize list for 2024 presentation.xlsx (liveryskiing.com)

The Inter-Livery Ski Championships is a highlight of the Entrepreneurs’ and the City’s calendar and expectations are high for the ILSC 2025, which will be held in Morzine on January 22nd, 23rd and 24th.

The 2024 Snow Dragons are: Stephen Wheatley (Captain), Amy Hopper, Damian McLaughlin, Simon West, and the Clerk. Particular thanks are due once again to Honorary Snow Dragon, Mrs Barbara Wheatley for her brilliant administration and support. All enquiries regarding skiing activities should be directed to the Team Captain, Court Assistant Stephen Wheatley.