The Vancouver Island Biathlon Club hosts a mountain bike biathlon race July 21 for beginners and veterans. No experience? No problem. Trained staff will offer participants instruction and safety tips so they can experience a unique and challenging Olympic sport. Just bring your mountain bike and helmet. VIBC will supply the rifle and ammunition.
“Biathlon is a combination of cross country skiing and rifle marksmanship,” member Christoph Dettling said. “In most races, athletes fire at five targets after skiing a loop on a very hilly course. The elevated heart rate creates a real challenge in hitting targets 50 metres away. These targets are 4.5 cm for prone position shooting and 11.5 cm for the standing shoot. In most races, athletes must ski a penalty loop for every shot missed.”
Don’t you need snow for biathlon?
“Not necessarily,” said Dettling.
For the upcoming race, participants will bike a short, hilly loop to elevate their heart rate and simulate the challenge of the sport. There will be four shooting bouts of five shots, with a loop in between each shooting bout. As in most biathlon races, there will be a penalty loop for each shot missed.
Isn’t this too challenging for beginners?
“The really interesting thing about this sport is that while it can be challenging, it is also so much fun and suitable to a surprising range of people. At the end of the day it’s about staying fit and having fun in a safe environment.”
Deadline for entry is noon on July 18. Race preparations commence at 9 a.m. on Saturday, July 21.
If you are at least nine years old, send questions to secretaryvibc@gmail.com.
FMI: www.vibiathlon.ca, or call Dettling at 250.884.3473.
