KNSC BIATHLON
Biathlon is a very popular winter sports that combines cross country skiing and rifle shooting. Usually, it is treated as a race, with contestants skiing through a cross country trail course whose distance is divided into shooting rounds. The shooting rounds are not timed per se, however every missed shot will usually result in extra distance or time being added to the contestant’s total.
McNeil Canyon Biathlon installed an 8 Point Electronic Rifle range which is on the groomed ski trails by McNeil Canyon Elementary School. McNeil Canyon Elementary School has adopted Biathlon into their after school programs. The range is fully electronic and the rifles used are equipped with an infrared camera connected to the target. The targets are within lockable tool boxes mounted on posts on their side so that they only need to be unlocked and opened. The electronic targets are wired and ready to go. The boxes are installed in the stadium at McNeil Elementary School which allows easy access for training and use for user groups of all ages.
We are looking for volunteers to help manage the range. Contact mcneilcanyonbiathlon@gmail.com to volunteer or with any questions.
March 9-13 Spring Break Biathlon
Do you have plans next week? With such a low snow year, we've held off on confirming a biathlon spring break camp until we knew it was probable. With the upcoming snow forecast on Friday, and below freezing forecast for next week (https://www.cpc.ncep.noaa.gov/products/predictions/814day/), we feel comfortable in presenting this as an event.
When: March 9 - 13th, 2:00-4:00pm
Where: Stadium at McNeil Canyon Elementary School and adjacent cross country ski trails.
Register for this spring break program HERE!
McNeil Canyon Biathlon welcomes all skate skiers and biathletes (aged 8 - 80+) with at least one year of skate skiing experience; yes parents are welcome. If an athlete has not participated in a past MCB event; no worries, we look forward to sharing the basics of biathlon. Each day will have technical ski instruction, technical range instruction, and games to keep it all fun. For those athletes who have participated in a previous MCB event, we look forward to building upon previous skills. In fact, for those interested, we will devote instruction toward preparing athletes for the final race weekend of the year (March 21-22) in Kincaid: https://zone4.ca/event/2025/Lz4ZvK/.
On that note, two MCB athletes participated recently in race #4 of the Alaska Biathlon Series; here are the results: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1lvcCDz9oEih-AMYh8EDWUDlU3TBsJjYPk3pp75BlX60/edit?usp=sharing. Congratulations to @Freya for outperforming a couple Arctic Winter Games athletes!!! (in your first race!)
Related, here are the Alaska Biathlon Series points standings: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1XhZAyaAYDjRFF_GP2A1wQFBKOZQJnZrV8YJPFm6pEh8/edit?usp=sharing. Congratulations to @Thalia for leading the female U13 category, AND for having the 4th fastest time/km of ALL females!
WINTER BREAK BIATHALON YOUTH CAMP - look for this program again coming in 2027!What: Learn the basics and/or build upon existing Biathlon skills.Where: Stadium at McNeil Canyon Elementary School and adjacent cross country ski trails.When: TBDWho: Enrollment open for Grades 2-12 with a requirement of at least 1-2 years of skiing experience, 20 skiers max. Biathlon at McNeil: McNeil Canyon Biathlon installed a 8 Point electronic rifle range which is on the groomed ski trails by McNeil Canyon Elementary School. The range is fully electronic and the rifles used are infrared cameras connected to the target. McNeil Canyon Biathlon has incorporated biathlon into Middle School skiing practice and in the after school activities at McNeil Canyon Elementary School. We encourage all Nordic skiers of all grades to build their skiing skills in addition to a new sport. Skate skis are preferred. If your child is an absolute beginner skier, we advise you to work with Junior Nordic or KNSC private ski classes. Cost: $100 per skierWe need volunteers: Please sign up as a volunteer by emailing mcneilcanyonbiathlon@gmail.com