From 21 February to 2 March 2022, six of Australia’s talented Youth and Junior biathletes competed in the IBU Youth Junior World Championships in Utah, USA; we were represented by:

• Chelsey Johnson – Junior female
• Rhiannon Castle – Youth female
• Ally Sydun-West – Youth female
• Noah Bradford – Youth male
• Boris Stanish – Youth male
• Phoenix Sparke – Youth male

Click here for more information on the athletes who attended.

First races were the Youth Men 12.5km and Women 10km Individual, in what turned out to be the least favourable conditions of the week; our athletes had to contend with windy and snowy conditions and less than optimal visibility. However, not to be deterred our athletes embraced the experience with excitement and commitment. Notable mentions to Boris and Noah who both had zero misses in two of their shootings and to Phoenix with some fast skiing.  Ally and Rhiannon recorded solid results in very trying conditions and learnt a lot about how to deal with snow in their rifles and shooting whilst contending with wind gusts. Conditions improved for the next day’s junior racing, with Chelsey Johnson racing in the 12.5km individual race.

Next up in minus 15^oC temperature were the Youth Men 7.5km and 6km Women Sprint races with our male competitors putting in some fast skiing and being 3.48min (Boris) 4.34min (Noah) and 4.37min (Phoenix) behind first place.  Our youth women also held their own with some fast skiing being 5.46min (Ally) and 6.45min (Rhiannon) behind the female winner.  Chelsey Johnson returned to her faultless shooting form in the Junior Women 7.5 km Sprint, shooting with no misses, one of only 6 competitors to shoot clean in the event – 10/10.

Five AUS athletes qualified for the Pursuit, with impressive results from both Noah and Boris in the 10km Male Pursuit improving their standing by two and four places respectively.  Ally and Rhiannon raced well against a competitive field and maintained their sprint bib placings. In the Junior Women 10km, Chelsey maintained her shooting precision, shooting clean – 20/20!

The last day of competition was the relays and excitingly for AUS, we were able to field our first ever Youth Men’s Relay team with Boris, Noah and Phoenix lining up against 15 other countries in the 3 x 7.5km Youth Male Relay. On the warmest day of the competition (9^oC) our male athletes performed admirably.

Thanks must go coaches Lucy and Luca who inspired, supported and mentored our young biathletes with such dedication and enthusiasm. Heartfelt appreciation to our team managers and team supporters Sarah Bradford, Andrew Castle and Katrina Sparke who not only looked after our athletes but took on transport, snack/meals, media and other logistics, and providing advice back to administration in AUS about how the team was progressing and what they were observing to help future planning.

The event was a milestone for biathlon in AUS as the team was the largest contingent of Australian biathletes to attend a Youth Junior World Championships for a number of years, and the first time a Youth Men’s relay team has been able to start. To say this was remarkable in a season still affected by COVID19 restrictions is an understatement, and a testament to the athletes who took part, the team administration both in AUS and on the ground in the US, and to the Australian Biathlon Board, who supported the attendance of a Team at the event so strongly.

Click here for full event results