4 NSW Biathlon athletes competed for Australia at IBU Junior Cups 1 and 2 in December. It was a great representation with our NSW athletes filling 4 of the 7 Australian Team positions and all of the girl’s positions. 

Joining our most experienced IBU athlete, Darcie Morton, were first time competitors at the IBU level – Lulu Miskin, Isabella Moon and Archie Gordon.

IBU Junior Cup 1 was held at Lenzerheide in Switzerland (SUI), where Darcie Morton had spent 4 weeks training as a member of the Swiss Junior Biathlon program. For IBU Cup 2, the team moved to Station des Rousses in France.

For Izzy and Lulu, the nerves were high not only because it was their first time at the IBU level but also because it was the first time they had carried a rifle on their back for an entire biathlon race! Both acquitted themselves well and were able to steady themselves at the Range and shoot well.

Archie Gordon showed the benefit of last year’s training in Europe with Head Coach Cameron Morton, and was able to come in ahead of 2 of the more experienced Australian Team members who have been overseas a number of times. It was a strong start from Archie.

Darcie Morton hit form in the 7.5km Sprint finishing 57^th (1,1) 2mins 57.9secs behind from a strong field of 111 starters. A top 50% of the field finish for Darcie will qualify her for both World Cup and World Championships this season, so she is right on track!

The athletes will now be joining their NSW Biathlon team-mates for a 4 week training block under Head Coach Cameron Morton in preparation for IBU Junior World Championships in Slovakia at the end of January.

Results:

(Click here for full IBU results)

IBU Cup No 1 at Lenzerheide (FRA)

Junior Women 15km Individual 

Darcie Morton  77th  (3,3,2,0)  11mins 12.6secs behind

Lulu Miskin        91st  (0, 3,2,1)  17mins 45.7secs behind

Junior Men 20km Individual 

Archie Gordon  115th  (1,4,4,1)  22mins 4.09secs behind 

Junior Women 7.5km Sprint 

Darcie Morton   54th (1,1)  2mins 57.9secs behind

Isabella Moon    99th (1,3)  10mins 40.7secs behind

Junior Men 10km Sprint 

Archie Gordon  118th  (2,3)  10mins 5.6secs behind

IBU Cup No 2 at Station Des Rousses (FRA) 

Junior Women 7.5km Sprint 

Lulu Miskin         81st  (1,3)  7mins 49.3secs behind

Isabella Moon    85th (3,2)  8mins 32.9secs behind