Royal Canadian Army and Air cadets from across the North will be gathering in Whitehorse Feb. 10 to 12 to compete in the 2012 Northern Region Cadet Biathlon Competition.

This event is used as an opportunity to train cadets and staff at all levels in the sport of biathlon, which is a combination of cross-country skate skiing and marksmanship.

It encompasses many aspects of cadet training, such as physical fitness and leadership, while teaching cadets firearms safety and promoting teamwork.

After two days of training and practice, cadets will compete in individual and team races.

An awards ceremony will be held at the Mt. MacIntyre Recreation Centre at 7:00 pm, members of the public are invited to attend. The top six biathletes from this competition will compete in the National Biathlon championship in Halifax, Nova Scotia.

Background

Cadet Biathlon Biathlon is one of the most popular aspects of cadet training. The combination of cross-country skiing and firing of a rifle requires not only endurance and strength, but also tremendous skill and precision.

Biathlon reflects many of the objectives of the Cadet Program by promoting a healthy lifestyle and physical fitness, developing leadership and life skills, and increasing camaraderie among individuals and cadet corps and squadrons.

Self-confidence, acceptance of responsibility and sports etiquette are just some of the life skills acquired from biathlon training. Other benefits include the development of a healthy respect of firearms and the proficient use of rifles for sport and recreational purposes.

Participation in biathlon is an optional training activity for all Sea, Army and Air cadets across Canada. Cadet corps and squadrons are provided with rifles and ammunition for local training.

Other equipment, such as skis and poles, is supplied either by individuals or with the help of the local community. Coaches for cadet biathlon include officers of the Cadet Instructors Cadre and Civilian Instructors.

Competitions

Sea, Army and Air Cadets across Canada are chosen for regional competitions based on their skiing and marksmanship skills at the local level.

Top regional biathletes go on to participate at the National Cadet Biathlon Championship, which includes 138 cadets from across Canada.

At the National Championship, biathletes compete in a series of individual and team races in distances from five to 7.5 kilometers.

Individual, mass start, and pursuit races are modeled after Olympic biathlon competitions. The patrol race is styled after historic military treks in which soldiers carried their military equipment on their backs over long distances.

In all races, cadet biathletes alternate between skiing and marksmanship bouts. Penalties for missed targets are imposed either as added time or by skiing a preordained number of penalty loops.

Safety

Safety is paramount to the sport of cadet biathlon. Cadets learn to treat firearms with respect and to pursue their interest in an Olympic-style recreational sport. Safety procedures are taught first and foremost to cadets before they are ever permitted to handle the rifle, a .22 caliber target-style rifle, and these practices are continuously reinforced throughout their training.

Coaches assist cadets with their rifles during competitions and training, and at no time do cadets carry rifles on their backs. Qualified Range Safety Officers supervise the cadets at all times and each cadet must undergo a series of equipment checks before and after each race.

Furthermore, the training is regularly reviewed and modified to ensure the safety guidelines and training standards are strictly adhered to and enforced.

Conclusion

Biathlon is a sport that highlights many aspects of the Cadet Program, from the development of leadership and sense of responsibility to becoming physically fit and promoting teamwork. The cadet biathlon program has produced several world-class biathletes, including national team members Jean-Philippe LeGuellec,Martine Albert and former Olympian Nikki Keddie.