Top biathletes off to nationals after successful championship

Old Man Winter paid a visit to Corner Brook this weekend, making conditions ideal for the 78 biathletes who competed for the top spots in the Newfoundland and Labrador Cadet Biathlon Championships at Blow Me Down Trails.

The snowy weather made for a tough course and stiff competition at the annual event, which yields the top cadet biathletes in the province. St. John's army cadet Curtis Blackwood is one of those top biathletes, and after a successful weekend on the course at Blow Me Down, he's off to nationals for the second year in a row.

"It's my second year going to nationals, and really after you've gone once, you always want to go back," said Blackwood. "There's no other feeling like winning the race."

Stephenville native Katherine Eckert is also off to nationals. She loves the sport so much that she stayed with the cadet biathlon program even after moving to St. John's last fall to attend university.

"I just love the sport, I just love the competition," said Eckert, who is heading to nationals for the sixth time. "It's just a great feeling when you're done, knowing how hard you worked, seeing the benefits and seeing that you finally reached your goal. It's a really, really good feeling."

Biathlon is an exciting and challenging Olympic sport that combines cross-country skiing and marksmanship. Success comes from many hours of training and the cadets who competed this weekend showed that hard work pays off.

"The weekend was a tremendous success for these young biathletes," said Capt. Bruce Jarvis, officer responsible for cadet biathlon in Atlantic Canada. "They've trained hard, and their dedication positions Newfoundland and Labrador well for a strong showing at nationals."

Representing Newfoundland and Labrador at the National Cadet Biathlon Championships in Valcartier, Que. from March 13-20 are female composite team members Katherine Eckert from 2355 St. John's Army Cadets, and Amber Hodder and Priscilla Myers from 2515 St. John's Army Cadets; female unit team members Hannah Stokes, Sabrina Muise and Tamara Head from 708 Stephenville Air Cadets; male unit team members Seamus Boyd-Porter, Curtis Blackwood and Austin Hodder from 2515 St. John's Army Cadets and male composite team members Karlton Dean from 2355 St. John's Army Cadets, and Ryan Langdon and Chris Langdon from 537 Gander Air Cadets.