For Baxter Pollard and sisters Nico and Lulu Pettit, this was the first time they'd taken the sport of biathlon outside the familiar environment of Snow Farm. Going from the familiar Sunday sessions with Wanaka Biathlon Club, where we rarely see more than 10 people on our rudimentary range, to Pokjuka's World Cup stadium bustling with over 90 athletes and coaches from 18 nations was quite the experience!
In December 2023, three youth team members, Baxter Pollard, Lulu Pettit and Nico Pettit, travelled with coach Jason Sklenar to the IBU IOC Youth Camp in Pokljuka, Slovenia, and then on to the IBU cup races in Pokljuka and Ridnaun, Italy. An amazing experience for all and one that others can aspire to!
Baxter Pollard has had his last day of skiing and shooting at the Auburn Ski Club near Truckee, California in preparation for his flight to Gangwon, Korea for the forthcoming Youth Olympic Games.
The Wanaka Biathlon Club Championships were held on Sunday 14th August at the biathlon club range at Snow Farm.Twenty seven keen biathletes aged from 8 upwards took part in the 4.5km Sprint race. Competitors skied a very hilly but fun 1.5km loop, before shooting 5 targets on the 50m club range. Those unlucky to miss a target had to ski an extra 100m penalty loop for each miss, ensuring a very focused group of athletes!The club race was won by Beijing Olympian Campbell Wright, with our younger club members enjoying a closely fought U18 title.Next event is the NZ Championships due to take place on the 11th of September.
