Minnesota Biathlon

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 (updated Dec 2, 2009)
2010 World Trials Mt Itasca -(pdf version)

2010 World Trials Mt Itasca -(word version)

Important Waxing Information

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.