Ian, do you remember my BASI 3 (as it was then) training up on Cairngorm, early May 1988 (I think). I was the oldest even then in the group and definitely not up to standard. Stuart Adamson had encouraged me to do it though. Tons of snow, we even skied powder. Best. Instructor. Ever.
What I loved about your teaching style was the quiet manner and lovely soft Irish accent. It suited me as an introvert. I disliked being yelled at! Back then people may not have pegged me as introverted because I drank so much wine. After 24 years sober I am risking a glass or two of wine with dinner and the occasional beer in my old age…
When you and Jane started McGarry THE Ski System in Chatel I came with John Stephens (aka ‘The Prof’) in order to write a story about your chalet-based instruction ski hols for Ski Survey at The Ski Club of Great Britain. What a delightful place Chalet Chataigne was with your two little girls (so cute) and an assistant instructor…I think it was that lovely boy who had cystic fibrosis. Then there was Derek Tate of course … Tamsen looked like Jane and Kirsty the image of you.
I remember too many dinners out on chalet girls’ night off as well as weekly trips to the hot springs (somewhere near Morgins) and skiing with the inventor of Piste Poles.
I still have a copy of my Skilegs pre-ski conditioning book that Jane illustrated so nicely.
Not sure of the order of events but probably 1990 back in Cairngorm I was there failing BASI 3 with Richard Harrison (second time was luckier) and I roomed with Jane who was doing BASI 1. I think we were a great support for each other. She had this thing to buoy her up in the mornings. She absolutely HAD to play The Bangles Eternal Flame (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PSoOFn3wQV4) every day. Bless her!!
After that first ‘press trip’ to Chatel you guys were kind enough to invite me and John on an annual basis. I would suggest inviting other folks I could write about and you promote as a special extra to the guests: Extreme Skiing with Pierre Tardivel was one and applied kinesiology and boot fitting with Matthew Bennett, my chiropractor from Brighton.
Did you know that I used to call you Ian McGuru…for obvious reasons?
All my old photo albums are buried (lost?) deep in one of our storage garages but I have asked my current husband, Rolf, to look for them and I will add them to your website.
In the meantime here are some old ones I found and scanned …
I really hope to get over and see you in Dalkey sometime soon. Jane is always reiterating her invitation!
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- Tessa Coker
