Minnesota Biathlon

Minnesota Cup #1: Biathlon Race & Novice Race

Hosted by Mt.Itasca Nordic Ski Association

Date: Sunday, December 6, 2009

Place: Mt.Itasca, Coleraine

Race Format: Mass Start (PPSS)
Distance: B, G, YW: 7.5km,

YM, JW: 10km;

JM, SM, SW, MM 12.5km;

(Distance might change depending on # of biathletes)

Registration: 9:00 AM –   9:55 AM

Zero: 10:00 AM – 10:45 AM

Race Start: 11:00 AM  Mass Start

Cost:          $20 (cash or check payable to MINSA)

Novice Race (Instruction, Rifles, and  Ammo provided)

Novice Safety Clinic approx: 12:00 – 12:25PM

Race start approx: 12:30PM

Race Format: Mass Start – 5k (3×1.7k), PP + penalty loop

Cost:              $20 (cash or check payable to MINSA)

Awards Biathlon + Novice Race approx.: 1:15pm – 1:30pm

Questions?  call Vlad or Petra 218-999-5046

or e-mail pcervenkova@hotmail.com

13^th Annual Fall Festival Roller Ski Biathlon Races

October 24 and 25, 2009 – Elk River Biathlon Range

2009 Fall Festival Results pdf

or Read the rest for text results

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Press Release:
US Biathlon Association
October 22, 2009

Final Selection for US Biathlon December 2009 World Cup Team

The International Competition Committee of the US Biathlon Association is pleased to announce that Kevin Patzoldt of Grand Rapids, MN will be named as the 5th man for the US December World Cup team.    This team will compete in World Cups 1-3 in December of 2009.  This selection was very difficult to make because of the depth of the field competing for the final spot on the WC team.   A number of athletes were in the running for this final spot.

Selection was based on national team staff discretion and the results of the rollerski biathlon races at Soldier Hollow, Utah, October 19 and 21, and the Summer Festival rollerski races in Jericho, Vermont, August 8-9.   The Soldier Hollow races were more heavily weighted than the Jericho races.  Race series percent back, ski speed, and shooting percentages were also considered, as well subjective assessment of ski technique and on snow ski speed.   The ICC would like all the athletes in contention to know that the committee’s deliberations were open and lengthy.

The Women’s World Cup Team, made up Haley Johnson, Sara Studebaker, and Lanny Barnes were nominated to the December World Cup team based on 2008-9 World Cup results.  On the Men’s side, Tim Burke, Jay Hakkinen, Jeremy Teela and Lowell Bailey were also nominated to the December World Cup team based on 2008-9 World Cup results.  The ICC would like to congratulate Kevin Patzoldt for his excellent performances at the Soldier Hollow rollerski biathlon races.  The National Team staff look forward to working with Kevin.

Qualification for the upcoming Olympic team is still very much open.   On the Men’s side, Tim Burke and Jay Hakinnen are pre-qualified for the Olympic team.  One additional men’s spot could potentially be awarded to a Dec World Cup team member who has a top 30 WC finish.  Up to two women can qualify for the Olympic team through top 30 WC finishes in December.  Remaining spots on the Olympic Team (total team size is 5 men and 4 women) will be allocated after the last stage of the Olympic selection at the IBU Cup in Altenberg, Germany in early Germany.   Up to 4 men and 4 women will qualify to compete in the IBU Cup through the IBU Cup selection races at Mt Itasca, MN, Dec 12-21.  December World Cup athletes who have not been nominated to the Olympic team will also be eligible to compete at the IBU Cup races in Altenberg.

In addition to the deliberations regarding December World Cup teams, the ICC also approved the use of standardized waxing at the IBU Cup Selection races at Mt Itasca in December. All athletes wanting to qualify for the IBU Cup races in early January, as part of Olympic qualification, will need to be part of the standardized waxing process.   Details will be posted on the USBA website along with the race invitation.

The ICC has also determined that the start format for the Pursuit format race at the IBU Cup Selection Races at Mt Itasca will be 30sec interval start.   In addition to the Pursuit format, there will be three Sprint format races, and one Mass Start format race.

Piotr Bednarski
Chair, International Competition Committee
US Biathlon Association

Elk River Rollerski Biathlon Race on September 27
Elk River, MN

Sponsored by Minnesota Biathlon, Twin Cities Biathlon, and Northwest Biathlon

Sept 27, 2009 Rollerski Biathlon Results

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Mt Itasca to Host the US Biathlon World Team Trials

Mt Itasca will be the host for 2010 US Biathlon World Team Trials in December. Mt Itasca has hosted numerous Jr and Senior World Team Trials as well as the North American Championships and US National Championship events since it opened in 2000. The 3.3km snowmaking loop, 30 point biathlon range, tough terrain, spectator friendly stadium and waxing facilities have made it a superb venue for major biathlon and cross country events.

This years event will start with Senior Team Trials on Dec 12-22, and will include 5 races. These races will be used to select a team of 3 men and 3 women to compete at the IBU Cup in Altenberg, Germany in early January. The IBU Cup will be used as the final qualification series for selection of the US Biathlon Olympic Team. The athletes qualifying in the Mt Itasca races will compete against the US athletes who had been competing at the December World Cup. The final Olympic team size will be 5 men and 5 women.

A number of Minnesota athletes are looking to take advantage of the home course. These athletes include Carolyn Bramante (Duluth) who was a 2006 Olympian, and also a member of the 2007 and 2008 World Championship teams. On the men’s side, Wynn Roberts (Battle Lake) and Leif Nordgren (Marine on St Croix) both competed in their first World Cups last season and are training hard in preparation for the Trials. Kevin Patzoldt (Grand Rapids) was on the verge of qualification for international teams last year and looks to take advantage of his home course knowledge. Kevin’s father Ken Patzoldt is the head groomer and snow maker at Mt Itasca, and Kevin himself has a plenty of sweat equity invested at Mt Itasca. 2002 Olympian Dan Campbell of Hastings, MN made a return to high level competition last season, missing Europa Cup qualification by one position.

The Junior/Youth World Team Trials will run Dec 19, 20, 22. The three races will be used to select the Junior (age 19-20) and Youth (18 and under) teams to the World Junior Championships which will be held in Solleftea, Sweden in late January. At last years World Junior Championship in Canmore, Alberta, Grace Boutot (Presque Isle, Maine) and Addie Byrne (Grand Rapids, MN) placed 2nd and 6th respectively in the 10km Individual. They are both looking to improve on those results this year.

Junior National Team Coach Vladimir Cervenka lives in Grand Rapids and bases his training at Mt Itasca. “Its really exciting to have the World Team trials for both seniors and juniors at Mt Itasca. In an Olympic year, the quality of the racing field is very high. There are a number of local athletes like Wynn, Leif, Addie and Kevin who have grown up racing at Mt Itasca. This will be their chance to really shine at their home course. Mt Itasca has some very tough climbs and technical descents. It will definitely break up the field.”

Snowmaking will commence at Mt Itasca as soon as the temperature get cold enough in mid- November. Plans are to have 1.5km loop open for the season opening race, Minnesota Cup # 1, on the weekend of Dec 5, 6. For more information regarding the World Team Trials and Minnesota Cup events, go to www.biathlon.teamusa.org, or download the information below.

2010 Senior Team and Junior Team Trials Invitation

2010 World Trials Mt Itasca (word version)

2010 World Trials Mt Itasca (pdf version)

Good Safety reminder from Bill Meyer:

The National Athletic Trainers’ Association recommends the following hydration guidelines for exercise:

1. Two to three hours pre-exercise: 17 to 20 fluid ounces of water or sports drink.
2. Ten to 20 minutes pre-exercise: 7 to 10 ounces of water or sports drink.
3. During exercise: Fluid replacement should approximate sweat and urine losses and at least maintain hydration at less than 2% body weight reduction. This generally requires 7 to 10 ounces of water or sports drink every 10 to 20 minutes. Include carbohydrates in the beverage if the exercise is intense or lasts more then 45-50 minutes. Water alone will suffice, and save calories, if the exercise is moderate or less than 45-50 minutes.
4. Post-exercise: Athletes should weigh themselves nude before and after workouts to learn how much weight is lost from sweat (water and salt) and then ingest fluid equal to 150% of the weight loss, ideally within two hours, and no more than four to six hours after the event. Including sodium in the drink allows fluid volume to be better conserved and increases the drive to drink, and carbohydrate in the drink will improve the rate of intestinal absorption of the fluid as well as replenish glycogen stores in the muscles and liver.
5. The volume of fluid in the stomach is critically important for proper hydration. Maintaining 12 to 20 ounces of fluid in the stomach will optimize gastric emptying and prevent dehydration. Concentrations of 4% to 8% of carbohydrates should be used if they are included in the fluid (for example, Gatorade and other energy drinks). Concentrations higher than 8% slow the rate of fluid absorption, while 6% to 8% concentrations are optimal for hydration and performance.

The effects of dehydration can be profound. They are:

1. A loss of just 1% to 2% of body weight begins to compromise cardiovascular, body temperature regulation, and muscular function, and can lead to decreases in aerobic power. For example, heart rate rises an additional three to five beats per minute for every 1% of body weight loss.
2. Muscle endurance and maximal aerobic power decreases when 3% to 4% of body weight is lost. Slightly more than 2% loss of body weight can result in as much as a 35% to 48% reduction in physical work capacity.
3. Dehydration of greater than 3% of body weight increases the risk of developing exertional heat illness (heat cramps, heat exhaustion, or heat stroke). Heat illness is common in sports and can occur after just one hour of intense exercise in the heat.