On the warmest day of a cold week, with temps in the single digits but only a light wind, the first race of the YJr Trials took place on Thursday late afternoon. Shooting conditions were a little tricky with a reversing wind at times. Trail conditions were excellent thanks to Regional Coach Vlad Cervenka and his snowmaking crew!!

2017 Jr&Y Trials 12.28.17 Results

On the combined list for the Youth and Junior Women’s 7.5km Sprint, Youth Helen Wilson of Alaska Biathlon dominated, shooting 1,0 and finishing in 25:17. She was followed by Junior Amanda Kautzer, MNBiathlon, LNR with 3 misses 42 sec back. In Third was Youth Emma Stertz, MNBiathlon Mt Itasca, also with 3 misses 1:07 back.

In the Men’s 10km Sprint, Mt Itasca Youth athletes dominated with Vasek Cervenka shooting 2,1 and finishing in 26:36 for 1st place, and Garrett Beckrich shooting 1,2 and finishing 1:15 back for 2nd. In 3rd was Youth Eli Nielsen of Methow Valley WA, shooting 1,0 and finishing 1:31 back.

The second race of the Trials will be held this afternoon with temps hopefully up to 0F. That will also be a Sprint race but slightly shorter distances, 7.5 km for the Men and 6.0 km for the Women.

The Trials are planned to conclude on Saturday with a Pursuit Format event. The final team will be selected by the International Competition Committee based on the results of the Trials.