After a few weeks of solid training during the school holidays for our athletes based in Perisher and Mt Hotham, it was time to put their training to the test! On Sunday 10^th July, Biathlon East Australia held the 2022 NSWACT Laser Biathlon Sprint Championships at the Perisher Valley Laser Biathlon Range and there was a weekend of time trials (9^th and 10^th July) in Mt Hotham organised by Biathlon Australia at the Hotham Biathlon Arena.

The laser biathlon races and biathlon time trials were a great opportunity for athletes of all levels to get back on their race skis and brush out the cobwebs from 2 years of no racing. It also provided a perfect opportunity for athletes who were unable to travel overseas for the 2021/22 European Winter Season to get back into the groove of on-snow racing after 2 years of minimal racing due to COVID and lockdowns.

We saw fast skiing and straight shooting (yay!), personal bests and improvements, great weather and lots of smiles and laughter. Great to see athletes of all abilities having lots of fun whilst also having some healthy competition between them…

The 2022 NSWACT Laser Biathlon Sprint Championship was our first time using the new 50m laser systems in an on-snow race; it was great for athletes to use these rifles in a race after practicing on them in training sessions. This laser system replicates biathlon rifles with the use of magazines and a very similar bolt action for reloading – perfect for training and racing and an upgrade from previous system. In Mt Hotham .22 shooting was being utilised at biathlon’s on-snow .22 range, with the time trials giving the athletes a real focus on shooting accurately with high heart rates.

It was great to see biathlon racing back and happening at our snowy mountains in Australia with all levels of athletes getting involved and amongst it. Special thank you as always to our volunteers who helped count penalty loops, marshal athletes, manage the “Ranges”, direct courses, and provide support to all athletes!

Congratulations to all athletes who took part in these time trials and sprint races. Biathlon in Australia is growing with more ranges, races and participants!