NorAm #3, Valcartier Quebec.

 NorAm #3 was a snowy and challenging event. Both the sprint race on Saturday and the pursuit race on Sunday where contested in full conditions. The ski tracks where incredibly soft, which made for slow going. I was very happy with my racing. I took 3^rd place in the Sprint and 1^st place in the Pursuit. I was especially proud of my results due to the depth of the field. NorAm #3 was also selection trials for the Canadian IBU Cup and European Championships team, so many of the top Canadian athletes competed. This race weekend was also important for the MWSC Junior and Development Biathlon teams. I was the “Old Man” of the weekend at 21 years of age. Our youngest athletes competed with air rifles in the 13-14 year old age class. The whole team gained invaluable race experience and performed admirably. Right now I am recovering from the hard efforts of the weekend and preparing for NorAm #4, which will be held in La Patrie, Quebec next weekend. NorAm #4 marks the end of the selection period for the European Championship Team. I am optimistic about my chances of being named to the team; however, I am keeping my focus on the upcoming NorAm. I am enjoying the winter season, and I hope that you have had a chance to get out and spend some time on the trails.

Mountain Top Video

Here is a video put together by one of the MWSC Junior athletes. I can be seen in the 9k classic segment beginning around the 3 min mark. I am wearing a white ski suit. It was a slushy slog, but a fun event.

Mid Winter 2012/2013, Training and Racing

 After a restful Holiday a home with my family I jumped back into a training block, in order to be in top form for the second half of the season. Despite missing the IBU Cup team my season is far from over, with North American Biathlon Cups, Eastern Cup XC racing, and the possibility to European biathlon racing on the horizon.  I took advantage of the racing break to put in some quality hours on snow at Pineland Farms in New Gloucester, Maine. Right now I am in Fort Kent completing specific biathlon training in preparation for the upcoming North American Cup biathlon races in Eastern Canada.

10th Mtn in Fort Kent during night shooting 

Last weekend I took the opportunity to join the Maine Winter Sports Center Cross Country team for an Eastern Cup race in southern Vermont. I competed in a 1.3km skate sprint on Saturday and a 9km classic race on Sunday. It was fun to hang out with the enthusiastic MWSC junior athletes, and compete in fresh formats and techniques. Despite my lack of specific preparation for sprinting and especially classic skiing I was pleasantly surprised with my results. I took 1^st place in the skate sprint thanks to an uphill finish and speedy skis. I was 16^th in a competitive and tightly packed field in the classic. These results are an indication of good race fitness and I am very glad I made the trip.

Southern Vermont 

Vermont Eastern Cup Stadium 

I am looking forward to the upcoming NorAm Biathlon races in Canada. I feel that my training has gone well, and my race fitness is near optimal. If I can impress the International Competition Committee at US Biathlon with my racing in the next 3 NorAm Biathlon races, there is a possibility I will be selected to compete at the European Championships in February. I am moving into the New Year with confidence in my preparation and a desire to prove myself.