Ski fit for an important research trip....

Sometime last year we were sent the following email at Healix and asked to participate in this important research study. Its comforting to know that the UK Travel Insurance Industry takes the safety of British Holiday Makers so seriously so we were obviously keen to take part in this important project.

(NB The origins of this email have been carefully crossed out so as not to compromise anyone)

Sent: 20 July 2010 21:53
Subject: Winter Sports Risk Assessment

Dear All

As an industry we often accused of not fully understanding the risks faced by our clients when participating in hazardous activities, in particular the true extent of the  exposures  brought to insurers when allowing our clients to ski or snowboard. There is also a suggestion we lack of compassion when  handling sensitive clams arising from ’over exuberance’ having  enjoyed a few(but never too many!) drinks at the bar.

Well this season we intend to investigate these exposures first hand, testing all kind of variables in a controlled scientific environment otherwise known as the Alps.  Does the intake of alcohol truly effect your ability to ski/snowboard, what is safe limit, does the lack of sleep increase risk?  At this stage we are seeking feedback from fellow insurance industry experts on interest in volunteering as guinea pigs to join  us on a fact finding mission.

Let me stress you are free to attend even if you do not ski or snowboard, there are many other activities that require investigation and assessment. For example is it OK to go tobogganing after 15 steins  of ale over lunch, does ½ a bottle of peach snaps really impair your ability to walk back to the hotel by yourself after midnight or is it safer to have a full bottle and head home after 2am?

Avid intend to act only as expedition co-ordinators on the understanding that this will be a self funded trip.  We will clearly be seeking sponsorship from our supporting insurers on the basis that they will receive a detailed report on our findings, sadly no insurer has stepped forward at this stage but it can only be a matter of time.  The thought is that we will depart on a Wednesday with the intention of spending at least 2 full days carrying out our investigations. There will be a number of you that wish to continue to work into the weekend (I know some of you are that dedicated) and this will be an option. There is even talk of one of the Avid Directors working on another 3 week investigation.

Please do think carefully before you respond, let us not kid ourselves, this is going to be dangerous. As well as the obvious risk of physical injury there are the hidden dangers of liver damage and really bad hangovers. For that reason I would strongly recommend all participants take out decent travel insurance coverage with a reputable insurer, this cannot be with AXA as all of their policies carry a blanket exclusion for anyone attending an Avid organised event. 

At this stage we are simply asking that you confirm your interest or otherwise in participating in the study. Once we have an idea of numbers we will refer back with suggested dates, location and budgets.

Regards

Gary Edmondson

Underwriting Director

Clearly it helps if you are fit when travelling to high altitudes for exercise and sporting activities and so Peter Mason and I undertook to do some running as a form of cross training. If we were fit enough to run the Reading Half Marathon we would then legitimately pronounce ourselves ski fit. 

Ladies and Gentlemen.....

.......I declare that Peter Mason and Jane Kennet are now ski fit! 

Next stop Les Gets, France and a cheese fondue. Hoorah...!!!! keeping my fingers crossed for some snow and no injuries but I do have at least enough time to heal any broken bones before September. 

So thats a good weekend of training:

• ~65 miles cycled
• 13.1 miles run