Ian Dempsey Breakfast Show/Topflight Ski Trip 2009
At the beginning of February 2009 we spent a week in the beautiful town of Saalbach in the Austrian Alps on the 10th anniversary Topflight/Today FM ski trip. We were broadcasting live all week from a hut on the side of the mountain. There was loads going on, from the opening night with the ski instructor flag and torch display, a party night with a host of characters from the last 10 years of Gift, a quiz night (congrats to team number 43), toboganning, the famous puc fada competition, plus of course loads of skiing and even a bit of snowboarding (Martin and PC).
Paul Collins hosted the annual Puc Fada competition with the able assistance of Wexford goalkeeper Damien Fitzhenry. Congratulations to the winner of the ladies competition, Claire Keenan from Longford, and to the winner of the men's competition, Donal Keogh from Silvermines. Check out the video on our YouTube channel below. €500 was raised at the event for Temple Street and for National Council for the Blind.
Check out the video blog for the week on our YouTube Channel in 'Ski TV' below.
Ski TV
Check out our YouTube Player and catch up with what goes on in Saalbach. All the videos over the week should appear along the bottom of the player so just click on the one you want to watch.
Click on the bottom right to view the picture in high quality.
Pimp A Snow Angel
Well our snowman didn't survive the night so 'Pimp the Snowman' became 'Pimp the Snow Angel' - thanks to Siobhan who lay in the snow to make the angel shape. Aine Madigan, Noah O'Brien, Kevin Dunne and Edwina O'Callaghan were our four contestants and they each had twenty minutes to decorate their angel. Congratulations to Aine who won the public vote with her colourful array of socks and streamers and who has won her trip back, thanks to Topflight. Check out the winning snow angel below.
Preventing injuries during your ski trip
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Make sure to get instruction if it is your first time on the slopes or if you have not been skiing in a while
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Undertake an appropriate warm up and gentle stretching before hitting the slopes. Your Chartered Physiotherapist can assist with a warm up and stretching programme
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Make sure you are comfortable with your skiing equipment and check your ski bindings each day. Ask your instructor if you have any worries
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As with any sport, a higher risk of injury accompanies fatigue so make sure to rest while not on the slopes
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Make sure to stay well hydrated, especially if you are consuming alcohol during the trip. Dehydration can decrease your judgement, co-ordination and reaction times
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Do not undertake jumps unless your have prior experience. If you are undertaking jumps make sure to land with knees slightly bent and feet pointed straight ahead
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Stick to slopes that best suit your level of experience - don't be a dare devil
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Avoid wide snow-plough positions (the position using to brake)
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To stop backwards falls aim to keep the arms forward, feet together and hands over skis
Ski Gallery
Have a look at all the photos from this year's Ian Dempsey Breakfast Show/Topflight Ski Trip
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