We just got word today that the MN National Guard will allow civilians to participate in the Guard Champs starting on Sunday this coming week at Camp Ripley. Please let me know if you plan to attend Bill Meyer, Coach MNBiathlon
I just received confirmation that spectators are allowed and civilian athletes are again allowed to race with a completed COVID screening and liability waiver (both attached). If any of your athletes plan to attend, please send myself and SFC Pam Marshik (CC Line) a list of the race/date and names so they can be added to the start list. We have over 120 athletes (of all skill levels) registered this year so it will be a large competition. Please let your athletes know they must stop in at Range Control and get a vehicle pass before going down range. Also, ensure they have a face covering.
Here is the schedule: Saturday, 12 FEB Official Training Sunday, 13 FEB Sprint Race Monday, 14 FEB Pursuit Race Wednesday, 16 FEB Relay Race Thursday, 17 FEB Patrol Race
Races are scheduled to begin at 10:00am with zero at 9:00. If any of your athletes want to participate in the team races, we can probably find them a composite team to join.
CW4 Derek J. Lindberg MN NG Biathlon Coordinator Camp Ripley 15000 Highway 115 Little Falls, MN 56345
Saturday, January 29th All U15 – 5.4km Women, all other ages – 8.25km Men, all other ages – 10.05km Two shooting stages (prone + standing) with penalty loops.
Pursuit Race
Sunday, January 30th All U15 – 9.0km All other women, U17M, YM, MM – 9.0km JM, SM – 11.85km Four shooting stages, 10s interval start, seeded from previous day’s results. Sunday-only racers will be started last.
Please consider this a reminder that you need to register for the Midwest Biathlon Races at Elk River by Friday noon—online. https://forms.gle/Jevxmfko2BLGt6Qh6
The race info is linked here. I was at the Novice Clinic on Sunday and the trails were looking great! Thanks so much to Dave Anderson with the Elk River Park Board and his crew of volunteers!! Keep in mind the winter biathlon trails are not the same as the paved ones we use in the summer—so the flow through the range and the character of the trails is entirely different and a lot more challenging!!
The weather forecast also looks real good! Low Fri night at –4F and rising Saturday to 23F, low Saturday night 10F rising to 22F on Sunday.
We have had a lot of athletes with conflicts with the high school races, many of which have been delayed due to cold weather and pushed together. If so, and if you want to only race one of the Midwest series—feel free to do so. Just be sure to let Brian Wray and Zean Baker know along with getting your name into the system.
I have also had some questions about racing classes. Our new system will automatically figure out your age and put you in the appropriate age class per your birthday. If you wish to race up from say <15 to <17 …or down from say MM to Senior Men, please let both Brian and Zean know that so they can override the system.
We have 5 from WI signed up already—and I hope to see most of our biathletes from MN as well!! Remember, this is also a MN Cup event!!
US Biathlon and the Olympic Regional Development Authority are pleased to invite you to the US Biathlon National Championships in Lake Placid, NY March 23-27, 2022.
Please find the invitation attached, as well as a link below to find more information. Please reach out to ORDA with any questions.
A fantastic weekend of racing at Blackhawk. Many thanks to the race organizers, coaches, and volunteers. Great to see so many states represented at our race! Wisconsin, Minnesota, Michigan, Illinois, Maine, and Iowa.
Coming up at Blackhawk in Middleton WI on the 15th/16th Jan weekend are the next races in our Midwest Regional series. Mark Torresani and his crew have been putting together a good manmade base and have been getting some natural snow on top! Should be great skiing!!
The plan is for a Pursuit race on Saturday and a Mass start by class waves on Sunday. Courses and final distances to be determined based on snowfall over the next 10 days.
If you plan to attend, please register online as below—and please let me know so we can provide a coaching staff to back you up!!
Open the webpages below, and under “Find Races” choose “Find registrations” and scroll way down to the 15/16th 2022 dates to find the actual registration and race information.
The volunteers at Blackhawk have been working hard to get ready for the Midwest Regional Races #3 and #4 at Blackhawk Ski club. There is plenty of manmade snow on the trails with more natural snow on the way. Conditions are expected to be very good. Registration for the events will open on January 5th at:
Please note you will need to sign up for both days if you plan to race both days.
We are in need of volunteers for the race, if you can help either prior to or after your race please let me know. Don’t forget to bring your cheering section to the race.
If you have any questions Mark Torresani can be reached at 608 334-2846
