Local cadets prepare for provincial biathlon (4 photos)

NEWS RELEASE
NORTHERN ONTARIO AREA CADET BIATHLON
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“That went really, really well, I am pretty excited because today was my first time actually shooting a metal target standing and I shot five for five,” said Kaylee Marcel a member of the 2310 Army Cadet Biathlon Team who is competing at this weekends Regional Cadet Biathlon held at the Algoma Rod and Gun Club. 

Sea, Army and Air Cadets from across Ontario will be traveling here to compete after securing a spot in the own Area Cadet Biathlon Competitions earlier this month. “I have to call our coach O/Cadet Alex Shea to tell him a shoot five for five."

Kaylee went on to say that, “standing shooting is a little harder, to keep steady when you breathe and heart beats. The biggest challenge is getting the perfect sight picture and taking the perfect shot." When asked what she looks forward to this weekend she said, “the food, the Algoma Rod and Gun volunteers prepare the best meals for us.” She also added that skiing to a earn a spot on the National Ontario Team is a goal as she has worked hard to shave off six minutes from her ski time from last years competition.

Another biathlete from the 2310 that advanced to this weekend’s competition is Seth Mason. He described his training as, “skied a lot, twice a week while working on hill climbing with range on Saturday as well a diet of a lot of meat and proteins.” He has been working a lot on his shooting to improve his three for five shot average. His goal for this weekend, our goal for my relay race ski partner and I is to make it the National Biathlon Competition.” We will hear more from the other team members in a future story.

Alex Shea a past Cadet Biathlete and Civilian Biathlon in world competition, now coaches the 2310 Army and any of the other cadet unit that participate. At the recent Northern Ontario Area Cadet Biathlon Alex was recognized for his coaching of biathletes and coaches from other teams with tips on fundamentals for skiing and marksmanship skills.

The top male and female athletes are aged 12 to 18 years of age and will be representing their communities from across Ontario when they are here for the Regional Cadet Biathlon which the public is invited to attend.

They all have their sights set to participate in this Olympic-style competition which consists of athlete’s cross-country skiing 1-2 km loops through the challenging terrain of Sault Ste Marie and shooting .22-calibre rifles at falling-plate targets in the range stadium.

The best combined skiing time and shooting scores will determine who will make up Team Ontario and advance to the fourth stage of the Canadian Cadet Organization National Cadet Biathlon held in Brookvale, PEI, March 7 to 11.

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