Our primary round of rifle distribution is now done. Basically if you have a MN Biathlon rifle—your lease fee is due NOW!! Andof course, your MN Biathlon Membership. Please get this in to me as quickly as possible!!! The forms are attached once again!!
Bill Meyer, Coach
MNBiathlon
Good Afternoon All!!
Coming right up starting on Saturday are the first MN Biathlon Daycamps of the new training year!! We still have two openings [3 on Saturday] if you would still like to sign up with Lynda Bouley lyndabouley@gmail.com
For those needing a rifle fit—please try to arrive early—even by 8:00 would be good!!
The tentative schedule is attached. We are expecting some rain, but the time and amount forecast keeps changing. In any case, bring a change of clothes! [maybe two?]
Thanks and hope to see you there!!
Bill Meyer, Coach
Good Evening All!!Attached please find the Invitation to the Shooting/Ski Technique daycamps scheduled for 6th/7th of May at Elk River!!
This Invitation has been in the hands of our newcomers for a week to allow the majority of them a first chance to sign up. We have 8 so far, and will give precedence for up to 2 more to fill in one of the two groups we are expecting. Therefore at this point we have a total remaining of 12 openings—so if you wish to attend, be sure to get your name in to Lynda Bouley asap!!
There is scheduled a followup camp at Mt Itasca two weeks after the Elk River event. More information will be forthcoming on that soon.
If you want to attend the Elk River daycamps please let Lynda know at lyndabouley@gmail.com
In addition to the daycamps for Youth and Juniors, on Saturday evening we will have a 2 hr Level One Officials class at a nearby location. This class is sanctioned by USBA and is the first level for Officials at any Regional or National events. I will be conducting that class—so please let me know if you would like to attend. wmeyer@nisswa.net
Hope to see you there!! Please contact Lynda or me if you have any questions!!
Bill Meyer, Coach
Good Morning Everyone!!
Winter doesn’t want to give up around here! A record year for snow a few days ago and we got 4-6”more of wet sloppy stuff last evening. Stuck to everything including the clotheslines! So everything is frosted—very pretty! But…….
I am slowly getting in the rifle lease payments and memberships for MN Biathlon. I would really like to get this done—so if you have a rifle from MN Biathlon—you need to get the rental form completed and mailed in. And everyone—you should be members of MN Biathlon—so please get that taken care of!!
Those two sources are the major sources of income statewide for the year! And for those in the Twin Cities—the added fee for the range upkeep is used for all the improvements at that venue in Elk River and to support the largest group in MN, Twin Cites Biathlon. The coaching fee is used directly to help set up that summer program at Elk River.
The corporate officers are all volunteers and receive no reimbursement. When we invite outside coaches into our camps, or send a coach out of state for National meets, we try to help with some of their expenses.
Please let me know if you have any questions—then if you haven’t yet submitted—please get it done!!
Thanks
Bill Meyer, Coach
A report from Holly Hanson, the MN Biathlon Lead Coach to Nationals, late last month. Thanks, Holly for stepping up to that and for putting together a detailed report!!
2023 US Biathlon National Championships
A total of 7 athletes from Minnesota competed in the 2023 US Biathlon National Championships in Casper, Wyoming.
The team consisted of: Lauren Huber – Wolf Pack Club, Maeve Lindsey, Twin Cities Club, Gregory Haugen MN at Large (lives in Fargo) and Audrey Lahammer, Eric Anderson, Adelaide Bielke and Carson Peterson from Bluff Country Biathlon. The team had great experiences and stepped up into a whole new level of competition with challenging shooting due to flip-flopping winds coupled with the high altitude of Casper Mountain. There were some warm weather days producing headband tan marks and some slightly sunburned faces (even with sunscreen!) intermixed with forecasted snow storms and days of finger numbing cold conditions.
The venue was the dream of one man who worked tirelessly for many decades to build a biathlon range in Casper. This is a new venue, and it was the first time they hosted Nationals. Many volunteers put in long days to help the athletes, coaches, and spectators. A BIG thank you to all of them!
According to many Garmin watches, the elevation of the facility was over 8200’! The layout was open, which gave the coaches and spectators a good viewing vantage point at the shooting range, which afforded them nice views of multiple sections of the race course. Snow arrived overnight/mornings on several occasions which caused some of the course to be wind-blown with 2-3” of new dry powdery snow, especially on the hills. However, despite these challenges the grooming was good overall. There were several very challenging hills and gusty high winds that frequently shifted direction on the range. The athletes did well competing at altitude by focusing on sleep, recovery, fueling, hydration, and following a training progression that helped them acclimate and prepare for competition at altitude. They executed brilliantly on the well-thought-out race strategies each athlete developed and everyone raced competitively at altitude. Here’s a snapshot of the results:
Sprint Race
Pursuit Race
Relays
In addition, 3 athletes from WI were at the event;
It was a great week of training and racing in Casper, WY, with a lot of team laughter which fell away to serious race faces on competition days. A HUGE THANKS to the athletes and all the parents who made this trip a success! Abra for always being our amazing travel director Julia Bielke – Co-driver, range rifle handler, chaperone, cook, grocery shopper Christine Anderson – Driver, chaperone, on-course corrections, cook, grocery shopper, photographer Tom Lindsay – Driver, On the scope Jackie Peterson – Driver, On the scope for Adelaide Laurie Huber – Driver, Range helperCongratulations to everyone on successfully navigating a challenging National Championship.
Best, Holly
Bluff Country Biathlon Coach
MN Biathlon Lead Coach for Nationals
Good Morning Everyone!
Most of you are active biathlon families. But I know some of you have personal rifles that are not being used extensively!!
This spring, we have seen many newcomers to our sport!! Of those who are in and participating, plus those who have expressed interest and will be invited to our first camp in May, I count up 13 new names since last fall!! These are all teenage athletes who would qualify for a leased MN Biathlon rifle..if we had enough to cover all of them!! And an equal number of older athletes: seniors, masters, etc., have shown interest but would have to provide their own rifles…
It is great to be popular! But…..
On the other end of our pipeline, we have a number who are dedicated to the sport, but will be leaving the state for colleges elsewhere. They have been buying their own rifles. Several this year, again. I have also been pulling in some rifles from athletes who were not using them enough in MN events per the lease agreement.
To help alleviate what appears to be a shortage of MN Biathlon rifles this year for lease, 4 families, who are currently leasing, have indicated an interest in personally purchasing a used rifle, if any are available. Three right handed and one left handed. Anschutz Fortners are preferable.
So long way of asking that if anyone has a rifle they would like to sell, please get in touch and I will connect you with one of the four families. Most used Fortners are in the $3000-$4000 range unless it is almost new. Factory stocks have been changing over the past 10-15 yrs or so—carrying harnesses and slings often need replacing, and etc.
So hoping some of you will be willing to clean out your closets!!
Thanks!!
B