The territory’s biathletes were back on the trails this weekend for Biathlon Yukon’s second set of time trials at the biathlon range on Grey Mountain Road on Sunday.

It was the second set of five trials Biathlon Yukon will be hosting this year. The first was held on the first of November, after Whitehorse received a healthy dumping of snow, not including the epic snowfall that happened on Nov. 2.

During the first race, the biathletes ran the courses because organizers had not planned for snow. Running made the first trial a much tougher task. This Sunday, the biathletes were back on their skis taking full advantage of the glistening snow.

Because of COVID-19, uncertainty lingers regarding Outside competitions. The time trials afford the biathletes the opportunity to race in a competitive setting for that time when the world returns to some sense of normalcy.

COVID-19 precautions were in place once again for the Sunday race. Officials, volunteers, and fans were required to wear masks, despite being outdoors. The buildings at the range were off-limits to everyone except a select few.

Sophia Marnik with Biathlon Yukon and one of the day’s organizers said the time trial “was an extremely successful competition and it went as smoothly as we hoped it would.”

The first time trial early in the month featured blowing snow and cold temperatures but that did not deter the biathletes.

It was much nicer conditions this time around as the sun shone, and the thermometer read mild temperatures.

The Pursuit - 3.75 kilometre Sprint, which had the largest field with 11 competitors, was topped by Alexander Labarge in 20:25.8. Ryan O’Farrell secured the second spot in 20:36.7 and Logan Tirschmann rounded out the top three.

Cheyenne Tirschmann, 17:13.8 was the Junior - 3.75 kilometre Sprint’s top finisher. Keelan Robins completed the course 2:25.6 behind the winning pace and Lydia Brown, 20:37.9 came third.

The Senior Girls skied a six-kilometre sprint. Isla Hupè, earned the top position completing the race in 25:23.3. Ava Irving-Staley was a mere minute behind and Claire MacMillan nabbed third.

If the races were done in the mass start format, onlookers would have been in for a photo finish in Senior Boys six-kilometre sprint.

Noah Marnik posted the fastest time of 20:52.7. Only 3.8 seconds behind was Cole Germain to grab second and Isidore Champagne was third quickest.

There was only one race in the Youth Women six-kilometre sprint, Veronica Porter. She posted a time of 24:55.6.

Two veteran biathletes vied in the Masters six-kilometre sprint. Brian Healy showed his prowess on the trails finishing in 21:40.97. Berne Johnson’s time was 31:52.2.

The biathletes will not have to wait a month before the third time trial is held.

The next race in the series of five will be held on December 13.

The previous two races featured interval starts, a mass start is on the slate for the upcoming race.