Arriving in Canmore, Alberta under sunny skies, it was hard to imagine that, in two days time, a group of eight biathletes from Yukon would actually be competing in a NorAm and Calorfex Cup race. That's because there was no snow to be seen.

But at the provincially funded Canmore Nordic Ski Centre, they were busily making snow as fast as they could for the important first race of the season series.

These races attract the best biathlon competitors from Western Canada and the Northern U.S.

By Saturday, there was a ribbon of snow 2-km long, set on the brown trails, enough to hold all the races.

A total of 160 racers attended this opening of the race season. For the Yukoners, it was the first time racing on man-made snow, and made waxing the skis for the best glide somewhat challenging.

The races were divided into two days. A sprint race was held Saturday, wherein each missed shot on the range resulted in having to ski a penalty loop, thereby losing valuable time on your opponents. On Sunday an individual race where each missed target resulted in a penalty of one minute being added to your time.

The unfamiliar conditions did not deter the Yukon contingent, as everyone from neophyte skiers to experienced competitors posted impressive results.

Ryan Burlingame, also an up and coming competitive cyclist, is becoming well known for his biathlon results, not only in the last Arctic Winter Games, but also at the 2008 Nationals.

Competing at a higher caliber division, in the youth men, in an International Biathlon Union (IBU) race, Burlingame finished a very respectful fifth in the 6.75-km long sprint, only a couple of near misses keeping him off the podium.

Also in the sprint races, competing in her first biathlon race, Jennifer Curtis finished an impressive second in the junior girls 4-km., while Aliye Tuslak also made the podium in the Senior Girls 6 km, winning bronze.

Claire Lindsey, also completing her first biathlon race finished ninth in the junior girls division. Also competing in the senior girls class was Aryn Clarke (12th) and Evellyn Kitchen (15th). Connor Oliver-Beebe competed in the junior Men's 6-km. finishing a strong ninth.

Jeremy Johnson, also in his first ski Biathlon, competing in the Open Recreational Division, used his powerful technique to take a well deserved gold medal.

Sunday saw the individual races and determined to improve his placing, Burlingame pulled out the stops to finish on the podium in third place on an 11.25-km course.

Burlingame commented after the race, "I was very excited to achieve one of my goals I set for myself before the competition."

Aliye Tuslak continued her success with a repeat performance of 3rd in the Senior Girls' 7.5-km event.

Jeremy Johnson continued to show a clean pair of heels as he pulled away on the 7.5-km course to take the gold, once again in the Open Recreation division.

Connor Oliver-Beebe (ninth in senior boys), Claire Lindsey (13th in junior girls), Jennifer Curtis (fifth in junior girls), Evellyn Kitchen (13th in senior girls) and Aryn Clarke (15th in senior girls) rounded out the results.

Judy Hartling, coach of the team, who was recently awarded Sport Yukon's Coach of the Year and Biathlon Canada's 2008 National Female Coach of the Year, was extremely pleased with the efforts of the team.

After the races Hartling had this to say of the team: "I was pleased with the entire team," she said.

"Their enthusiasm and hard work helped our athletes to achieve their personal goals. This event will provide a good base to work toward the Westerns in February. The other jurisdictions are starting to recognize the abilities of our Yukon athletes."

While Burlingame will likely be attending another IBU race shortly, the rest of the team will next see action at the Western Canadian Championships in Edmonton in February.

Story written by Bill Curtis.