By Caorlyn Grass
Published: March. 3, 2012.
The Station Square mall was turned into a biathlon stadium on February 24th as the Callaghan Winter Sports Club (CWSC) presented a Mock Biathlon event. Twenty-four contestants representing local businesses and organizations turned out in spite of the wet, slushy weather, formed six teams of four, and participated in a miniature biathlon competition
Six of the twenty-four competitors were representing the Sea to Sky Sirens, our local Women’s Roller Derby team. They had a great time, learned about biathlon and contributed a great deal of fun to the whole event!
The competition followed a Relay format, with each team member speed-walking three loops of a course, while taking two shooting bouts in between the loops using the laser biathlon rifles from the 2010 Paralympic Games. A miniature penalty loop was set up in the parking lot and for every missed shot in the Range the contestant was required to do one lap on the penalty loop.
The results of the Mock Biathlon in order from first to last were: First: The Squamish CHIEF (4) Second: The Source (2) & Home Depot (2) Third: The Sea to Sky Sirens (2) & Training Innovations (2) Fourth: Double Shutter Images (2) & Sea to Sky Ford (2) Fifth: The Sea to Sky Sirens (4) and Sixth: Capilano University (4).
“This Mock Biathlon event was a great way for people to familiarize themselves with the sport of biathlon in a fun and social environment”, said Mock Biathlon organizer Carolyn Grass. “The turnout for our recreational biathlon events has been great this year, and with the Mock Biathlon we hope to introduce even more people to this fun and exciting sport.”
The Mock Biathlon was organized to promote the “Stride & Glide Sports BC Biathlon Championships” on March 2-4, which is being hosted by the CWSC. In addition to the competitive categories, the Championships will feature Recreational Biathlon for everyone from complete novices to experienced biathletes who prefer a more relaxed and informal race. Come and try it yourself!
“The BC Biathlon Championships brings out the best biathletes from all over our province and beyond, and is a great event to host as we continue to build the legacy of biathlon in Sea-to-Sky Country”, said Clayton Whitman, CWSC President. “Squamish proved its ability to host major international Nordic competitions during the Olympics with a great turnout of volunteers, and we are calling for volunteers from throughout the Corridor to come out and help us demonstrate our continued ability to host major events.”
Complete details and volunteer information regarding the BC Biathlon Championships are available at www.callaghanwintersportsclub.ca .
