CORNER BROOK Christian Hicks knows there will be a lot of strong biathletes standing in his way of success this weekend, but it’s something he has grown accustomed to since he became immersed in the cadet movement five years ago.
Hicks, a flight sergeant with 511 Humber Air Cadet Squadron, will be participating in the 2012 provincial cadet biathlon championships at Blow Me Down Trails in Corner Brook this weekend.
“Oh yes, definitely,” the polite 16-year-old Level 2 student at Corner Brook Regional High School said when asked about the calibre of cadets converging on the city Saturday and Sunday.
A total of 72 young biathletes in the 12-18 age group will represent various sea and army cadet corps and air squadrons for the two-day event. There will competition in both male and female divisions on Saturday at 10 a.m. at Blow Me Down Trials, while Sunday’s dedicated to competition in team biathlon.
“I’m not sure how I’m going to do because I haven’t seen any of my competition yet, but I’m going to try my best nonetheless,” Flight Sgt. Hicks said Thursday.
Biathlon is a sport that combines two disciplines: cross-country skiing and marksmanship. Competitors complete a round of shooting on the rifle range after each loop of the nordic trails. The challenge for biathletes is to be a quick and accurate shooter under conditions of aerobic stress.
Biathlon is a sport the cadet movement has always embraced, and Flight Sgt. Hicks, a Gander native, is among the big promoters of the intense sport.
“It’s actually one of my favourite sports that’s out there,” he said. “The fact of shooting and skiing at the same time it’s just a wonderful experience. You’d have to experience it for yourself before you could understand.”
The provincial championship, according to the air cadet, is a popular event in the lives of cadets and everybody works hard to be at their best.
“As much time as you can fit in with your schedule is how much we can practise,” he said of the commitment to training.
He will be competing in the biathlon team event alongside two other fellow air cadets from 511 Humber. On the line for Hicks and company this weekend is an opportunity to represent the province at the National Cadet Biathlon Championships March 4-10 in Martock, N.S. A total of 12 cadets, six male and six female, will earn the right to compete at the national event.
Hicks hasn’t competed on the national stage before, but he did get to check out the experience as a member of staff in the past. He is focused on just doing his best and letting the chips fall where they may.
“I really hope so. I will try my best. I really hope I can get on one of those teams,” he said.
“It’s an experience you have to really feel for yourself, and you always have tons of fun and make tonnes of new friends,” he added.
The male and female races are slated to start Saturday at 10 a.m. at Blow Me Down Trails, while the team biathlon event is slated to get underway 10 a.m. Sunday at the nordic ski park.
