NSW Biathlon held a final training camp on the last weekend in November for its State Team athletes heading overseas to train and compete.

Based at Bungendore in NSW, the Camp used the local facilities of nearby Canberra and the property of the Gordon Family to focus on final preparations for the overseas athletes. A number of ACT based athletes joined the roller-ski and shooting training activities.

Led by Head Coach Cameron Morton, training included shooting technique and bringing under control breathing and a high heart rate in the approach to the shooting range. Exercises to build core strength, balance and agility were used in between shooting to build good ski technique, a strong shooting position and fitness.

Afternoon sessions covered roller-skiing, a 2-hour mountain bike endurance ride and a 1-hour endurance run. Evening sessions focussed on rifle handling and speed on and off the back and dry-fire practice. At the end of the Camp, the athletes were tired but well pre-pared for their 8 weeks of training and competitions overseas.

Our great thanks to the Gordon Family for their hospitality and coach Cameron Morton for his “tough-love” training regime!