WE NEED YOUR HELP!

5 Young Minnesota Biathletes have been named to the US Biathlon Teams headed to Europe

Vasek Cervenka, Mt Itasca Biathlon
Cam Christiansen, Nisswa, NNW Biathlon Club
Jakob Ellingson, Twin Cities and Mt Itasca Biathlon
Siena Ellingson, Twin Cities and Mt Itasca Biathlon
Amanda Kautzer, Twin Cities Biathlon

These biathletes will compete in the January and February series of races in Europe. In January, there are the IBU Cups in Italy and Germany. In late January, there is the IBU Junior Cup in Slovenia. In early February, the Open European Championships will be held in the Czech Republic. In late February, the Youth and Junior World Championships will be held at a venue to be announced.

Jakob and Siena are already in Europe at the first two IBU Cup races – Martello, Italy this coming weekend and will compete in Ruhpolding, Germany next weekend.

Vasek, Cam, and Amanda will do the IBU Junior Cup, Open European Champs, and the Youth and Junior Champs. Siena will also do the Junior Champs.

Unfortunately, the United States Biathlon Association (the Olympic governing body of Biathlon in the US) has been trimming funding for athletes this year – particularly at the Junior level and young Senior level. The cost to these 5 athletes will be approximately $14,000 (total – including airfare, food, housing, race entries, race support,etc.)

We are asking you to make a tax deductible donation (of any size) to help with the expenses of these top level athletes.

Minnesota Biathlon is an all-volunteer non-profit 501(c)(3) organization. All donations are tax deductible. 100% of all donations will go directly to the biathlete’s expenses. Funds received will be distributed to the athletes in proportion to their anticipated expenses per the USBA self-funding guidelines.

Please send your check made out to Minnesota Biathlon to –

Minnesota Biathlon
Lou Chouinard
3925 30th Avenue South
Minneapolis, MN 55406-3108.

More information and podium pictures from the races at Jericho, VT, can be seen at

http://www.teamusa.org/US-Biathlon/News/2016/December/30/Teams-Named-for-2017-Youth-Junior-Worlds

Thank you for your consideration!!