HAMPSHIRE soldiers have been testing their nerves and fitness to the limit during the Army’s UK Divisional Nordic Ski Championships in France.

Lieutenant Kraig Graves and Officer Cadet Emily Hodgson were among 180 soldiers put through their paces on some of the toughest cross-country races at the ski resort of Serre Chevalier.

The event was part of Exercise Spartan Hike which featured biathlon races and culminated in a gruelling 20km patrol race which saw teams of four skiers carrying 40kg of kit between them on the course in which they also had to fire a .22 rifle at a target.

Kraig, 25, a former Southampton University student is serving with 1st Battalion the Rifles and Emily, 20, studied at Kings School in Winchester before joining the University of London Officer Training Corps.