Racing, Training, and Resting

I arrived back in The County recovered and refreshed after a tough time in Alaska, and ready to begin training for Junior World Championships. I set out an ambitious training schedule for the week, all building up to the North American Championships in Jericho, Vermont. Training went well leading up to the racing and I was ready for some redemption after some subpar performances at Junior Trials. Unfortunately Jericho was suffering from the same low snow situation as the rest of the country, and the races where downgraded from North American Championships, to a North American Cup, to…. Well they finally settled on the “North American Invitational” nevertheless the fields where competitive and I was ready to race. The first day of competition was warm temps and crazy wind. Shooting success was completely contingent on the conditions you encountered when you arrived in the range. I was lucky in prone, and very unlucky in standing. Despite very poor shooting I was able to salvage a 2^nd place with some strong skiing. With a pursuit and mass start still to come I was hopeful that my shooting woes would subside when I encountered better conditions. The setting was much different for the next two contests thanks to a six plus inch snowstorm and accompanying cold front. With solid snow on the tracks and little wind I was excited to hit some targets. Unfortunately the strong skiing poor shooting theme persisted through the weekend, and I collected another 2^nd place and a 3^rd place. I have met with my coaches, reviewed some fundamentals, and made some small rifle adjustments that I hope will add up to better shooting this weekend at the North American Cup right here in Fort Kent, and next week in La Patrie Quebec. Due to some illness I picked up mid week I will on be racing the Mass Start here in Fort Kent, but I am excited none the less.