Minnesota Biathlon

For those looking to try your skill at biathlon and get a feel for what the sport is like, come try out on of our novice events. This is the best way to get an idea of how it works, and how much fun biathlon is. There are a few upcoming opportunities to race in one of our Novice events;

THIS COMING WEEKEND!!   3/14 – Sunday – Mass Start Race – Mt Itasca, MN

At the novice events, we supply all the shooting equipment and safety training. You just need to bring your ski gear. As long as you can stand on skis, no other experience is necessary. Contact the organizer for the event if possible before arriving, and have fun!

http://minnesotabiathlon.com/current-schedule/

Hi All–
We have 1/4″ of wet ice in the driveway right now–and it is still spitting from above–forecast for tomorrow doesn’t look much better.

We will cancel out for tomorrow and try to reschedule to the 14th of February–the Sunday after the State HS meet.

Looks like we should get some snow on top later tomorrow or Monday. As soon as we do, I will regroom the range.

I will set up a training plan and get it out shortly. If the weather clears enough to groom in the am, we might have a local  practice tomorrow at 1:00.

Bill Meyer

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What: The Nisswa Games Biathlon Meet. This is a series of contests oriented to more shooting than normal–that you will not find in the IBU Rules. Each team earns points depending on how they place in each event. Overall biathlon skills are emphasized.

Depending on numbers interested, teams of 2 or 3 will be handpicked from the entrants to be as equal as possible. Sometimes one lucky sole gets to do both positions.

The games are:

• Russian/AK –Into position–hand load one shot–tag off- goal is to clean the target asap
• Short leg relay–do a lap, relay rounds, penalty loops, tag off–each does one prone+one standing alternating..
• Patrol race– group sprint race-team all needs to finish at same time.

The longest skiing will be the last event with a 1km loop x 3

Novices are welcome–ideally you should bring your own rifle..or contact me ahead to be sure I have you covered..

Where: Nisswa Range–see attached map

When: 1:00 zero, Sunday the 24th of January, 2010

Contact: Please let me know if you plan to attend. Email Bill Meyer

Cost: None      Awards: minimal    Prizes: None     Fun: That is the whole goal!!

Bill Meyer

Hi Everyone-
Our July minicamp was held here the past two days– weather was in the 60’s with heavy wind both days–challenging the shooting skills of both novice and experienced. A major focus of the camp was ski skills–and each improved noticeably. On Wed we worked on basic ski skills on the first morning–then switched to plyos [see pictures] until lunch. After a 2 mile run to the range– we worked on accuracy with a 50 shot test in 2man teams– and then finished with a 1.5 km sprint race. Then on to a chilly swim at Pelican Beach, rifle cleaning, a big supper, a hike to the DQ in Nisswa–and finally some video review. Yesterday between the 7:00 warm up on skis– 4km time trial [followed by a few pancakes] and a 26 km distance ski–they covered a total on Thurs of about 32km in moderately hilly terrain– all in the am, then back to the range after lunch for our Festival of Team events as shown below. I think most everyone was pretty much toast by mid pm on the way home. Thanks to the Bakers and Hadrits for providing a cheering section at the race events yesterday!!

My special thanks to Charlie Merhar for his help in coaching during the whole camp; Bakers for a lunch on Wed, Ruzich’s and Bakers for hosting athletes nearby; and my ever patient wife, Jean for cooking, cleaning up and putting up with all of us!!

Bill Meyer

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We didn’t start until the afternoon –so conditions were pretty slow.. but nice.. hit about 45 by end.

Raleigh dominated with some good shooting and his typical strong shooting, even with some pretty severe time handicaps– Jenna did well, and CJ will be a top shooter in a short time. His Dad, Charlie, an ex UMD ski club member- also jumped in and with a pretty good bonus handicap- and shooting prone on standing, but standing on standing also- did quite well.

We are forecast really warm this week–see what happens

Bill Meyer
Coach, MN Biathlon