Corner Brook -
Don't be alarmed if you hear gun fire at Blow-Me-Down Trails this weekend.
Biathletes from around the province will converge on the local nordic ski facility for the Newfoundland and Labrador Cadet Biathlon Championships.
The 78 young biathletes taking part in this weekend's competition are 12-18 year-old members of the Sea, Army and Air Cadets. Winners of the male, female, and team events will represent the province at the National Cadet Biathlon Championships March 13-20 in Valcartier, Que.
Participants will compete for the top spots in the male, female, and team biathlon brackets. Competition takes place at Blow-Me-Down Trails on Saturday starting at 11 a.m. and 10 a.m. is the start time for Sunday's action.
Officials for the event include Captains Denise Dobbin and John Halfyard, two of 13 Cadet Instructors Cadre (CIC) officers from across the country heading to Vancouver in February to act as deputies/supervisors during biathlon events at the 2010 Olympics. The Corner Brook natives were selected based on their superior biathlon experience and certification, bringing credit not only to them, but also to the biathlon programs available to youth through the Cadet Program.
Biathlon is a sport that combines two separate disciplines: traditionally, these are cross-country skiing and shooting. Competitors complete a round of shooting after each lap/loop on the course. The challenge of biathlon is to be a quick and accurate shooter under conditions of aerobic stress.
