Junior Racers--skiing and biathlon

Take a look at the Junior Racer's 2009-2010 Activity/Race Schedule and website, follow these links:

1. Introduction

The Caledonia Nordic Ski Club Racers consists of skiers and biathletes who wish to improve their skills and develop as athletes. The primary focus of the group is to train young skiers as a group with the intention of entering competitions up to the National Championship level. The program is aimed at skiers in the Learn-to-Train, Train-to-Train and Train-to-Compete stages of the National Long Term Athlete Development model. Skiers of all ages who wish to train with the group are welcome to join and participate.

This is just an overview, for more detailed information contact one of the coaches.

2. Ages

Skiers of ages 10 to adult are welcome to participate however the main focus of the group is towards developing skiers between ages 10 and 18. Skiers must be 12 years of age to start biathlon.

3. Skill Level

It is anticipated that skiers entering the Junior Racers will have completed the Ski Development Program or have at least two and preferably three years skiing experience irrespective of age. Ten to thirteen year olds who have not completed Ski Development Program are encouraged to enter the Track Attack program before entering the Junior Racers.

4. Biathlon versus Cross Country

The Junior Racers includes both Biathlon and Cross Country skiing however it is necessary to choose a program at the beginning of the year. Skiers entering biathlon must go through a range and firearm safety session with the biathlon coaches before they are able to participate in shooting practices and compete in biathlon events. Biathletes are encouraged to compete in both biathlon events and crosscountry events.

Athletes in both cross country and biathlon train together as a group from September until it snows doing dryland training Tuesday nights 5:30 at Edgewood Elementary. Skiers 14 and older attend Interval sessions Monday and Thursday nights at 5:30 at Otway and other locations. Take a look at the fall training schedule for 2009-10. Fall Training Schedule.

Once it snows athletes ski Tuesday evenings (skate technique) and Thursday evenings (classic technique). On Saturdays biathletes have a shooting practice while cross country have a ski session. Skiers 14 and older are encouraged to participate in interval training on Monday evenings. . Older skiers are also expected to train on their own in addition to regular practices.

5. Coaches

For the 2009-10 year the coaches are:

  • Cross Country: Leisbet Beaudry, Sidney van Loon, John Hagen and Gillian Warner.
  • Biathlon shooting: Shayne Hoehn and Pierre Beaudry.

6. Parental Involvement

Parents are expected to:

  • Ensure skiers get to practices on time, appropriately dressed and with appropriate equipment in good order;
  • Ensure skis are waxed appropriately;
  • Ensure rifles are cleaned and ready to shoot;
  • Ensure biathletes have sufficient appropriate ammunition;
  • Volunteer to help at races both at Otway and away;
  • Share in providing transportation to races and chaperoning at races;
  • Volunteer to help at Ski Swap;
  • Participate in the organization of the challenge group.

7. Skiing Equipment

The Junior Racers skiers train in both classic and skating techniques. It is expected that skiers will have both a set of classic skis and a set of skate skis.

8. Shooting Equipment

All biathletes must have a biathlon rifle. There are a number of club rifles available to new biathletes on a first come first served basis, rental is $100 for the first year and $150 for subsequent years. For those who would like to try biathlon the charge is $20 for up to three shooting sessions. Athletes who intend to compete for several years in biathlon are encouraged to purchase their own rifle so that it may be adjusted to their particular requirements.

A firearms PAL (possession acquisition license) is required before anyone can take a rifle home for dry firing practice.

All biathletes must pay for the ammunition they use. Typical ammo cost for a year is between $50 and $100.

9. Races

The Junior Racers organize participation in the BC Cup race series sanctioned by Cross Country BC and the BC Cup race series sanctioned by Biathlon BC. In addition the group may attend club level races, Noram races, provincial and national championships. A typical race weekend for a BC Cup series consists of two races, one on Saturday and one on Sunday in slightly different race formats.

Cross country will usually have a classic race with an individual start one day and a skate race with a different starting format or a sprint race on the other day. Skiers race in age catagories with distances varying from one to 15 km.

Biathlon races are a series of loops between which the skiers must shoot five targets. The distance of each loop varies from one to five km dependent on age catagories and between three and five loops are skied dependent on race format.

The cost for a race weekend away is typically in the order of $150 to $200 per athlete and $120 for a parent. This includes $15 per race for entry fees, $50 gas, $60 for two nights hotel, $25 for a Saturday night banquet plus miscellaneous food costs. The Junior Racers pay the coaches costs and organizes accommodation and ride sharing.

10. Program Costs

The cost to join the Racing program for 2009-10 is $75 if paid by 7 Nov and $85 after 7 Nov.

Who should I contact--I'm interested!