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Men's & Women's Biathlon

Description

Biathlon - which combines cross-country skiing and rifle shooting - didn't start as a sport, but as a way for northern European hunters, to put food on the table. Beginning in the mid-16th century, Scandinavian countries used troops on skis to defend against their enemies. The world "biathlon" comes from the Greek word for "two tests."

Biathlon is an Olympic winter sport, which combines competitive, free-technique cross-country skiing and small-bore rifle marksmanship. The combination of two very contradictory disciplines, skiing and shooting, in the same competition confronts an athlete with a very demanding challenge. Cross-country racing requires intense, full out physical exertion over an extended period of time while shooting demands extremely fine control and stability.

In a biathlon competition, the biathlete skis distances varying from 7.5 to 20 kilometres, and stops at the shooting range to shoot two or four times, with both the distance and number of shooting bouts depending on the type of competition in question. The shooting distance is always 50 metres and five rounds are fired in each bout at five targets, except in the relay competition in which the competitor has three spare rounds for each bout. There are two shooting positions, prone and standing, which are done in a sequence depending on the competition. Penalties for missed targets are imposed either as one minute of added time per target for the individual competition, or as a 150 metre penalty loop - done immediately after each bout of shooting - for all other competitions.

Biathlon has grown in popularity to become the most widely televised winter sport in Europe.

Links

www.biathloncanada.ca
www.biathlonbc.ca

Children's Nordic Programs

Download program registration forms for children's nordic programs in the Callaghan. Please note that for Bunnyrabbits and Jackrabbits at least one parent as well as the kid(s) are required to be members of the Squamish Nordic Ski Club. Lessons will start on December 7th for Bunnyrabbits and Jackrabbits. The schedule has been designed so that kids who are interested can take part in Biathlon and Hoppers as well, which will start in the New Year. Drop off your forms and payment at the Adventure Centre - register early to avoid disappointment - please forward this email to anyone you know who might be interested.

2008-09 Membership form (92k, pdf)
2008-09 Registration Biathlon & Hoppers (89k, pdf)
2008-09 Registration Bunnyrabbit Jackrabbit (92k, pdf)


Coaches Needed
We will need more coaches this year - we really don't want to turn kids away like last year. Coaches for Bunnyrabbits are required to take an Introduction to Community Coaching (ICC) course - in Squamish Oct 24th (eve) , 25th (day) . Coaches for Jackrabbits are also required to take Community Coaching course - in Callaghan Nov 28th (eve) , 29th & 30th (days). If you think are interested please contact Todd Pope (tcpope@shaw.ca) or Heather Wood (heathercampbell@shaw.ca) As a coach you will get :

Priority & Discounted Registration for your kids

Free Trail Day Pass

Skill Technique Clinics with Erik Nilsson ( Assistant Coach for the Callaghan Valley Training Centre)

Free Equipment Rental on lesson days

Please consider helping out - especially if you're going to be there anyway!