About Youth Biathlon

The opportunity to learn about and participate in biathlon is available to members who are also enrolled in a Middle School or High School cross-country ski racing program at Blackhawk or another club/school.  For more information about the Blackhawk Nordic Ski Team, click here.

Youth must demonstrate the mental and physical maturity to handle a biathlon rifle to be in the program. The program is led by Mark Torresani who is a certified USBA Coach.

The Introductory Middle School program is geared towards teaching basic biathlon skills including safety. Participants must have experience Nordic Skiing. The cost of the Introductory Middle School program is $175 and lasts from Early December through early March. The fee includes coaching, ammunition, use of a biathlon rifle at practice and other range equipment. Participants are expected to compete in local races throughout the season. Participation in races may require additional fees paid directly by participant.

The Advanced Middle School program is geared towards teaching biathlon racing skills including safety, Nordic ski racing technique, range procedures, and shooting skills for biathlon racing. The cost of the Advance Middle School program is $175 and lasts from Early late November through early March. The fee includes coaching, ammunition, use of a biathlon rifle at practice and other range equipment. Participants are expected to compete in local and regional races and can participate in their age group at national events, Race fees will be additional expense paid directly by participants.

The High School biathlon program is for biathletes with previous experience in biathlon races, Nordic ski racing and plan to participate in biathlon and Nordic races through the season. High School biathletes need to be physically strong enough to shoot standing and ski with a rifle. All participants in the high school biathlon program will need to have their own biathlon rifle or lease a biathlon rifle from Blackhawk.  A very limited number of club rifles are available for lease by youth in the high school program for a fee of $250 for the season. Biathletes leasing a rifle are expected to maintain the rifle and return it in good condition and cleaned. The cost of the high school biathlon program is $200 and lasts from October through March. The fee includes coaching and other range equipment and ammunition for practices. Participation in races will require additional fees paid directly by participants.

Practices

• Introductory Middle School practices are held on Tuesday evenings from 5:30 to 7:00 PM and starts on December 6^th.
• Advanced Middle School practices are held on Thursday evenings from 5:30 to 7:00 PM and starts on November 17^th.
• High School practices will be held on Wednesday evenings from 5:30 to 7:00 PM and starts on October 26^th.
• Adult biathlon practices are held on Wednesday evenings. Adult participants are expected to have their own skis, rifle and ammunition.  Adults must be “red book” safety certified and a Blackhawk Ski Club member to participate in any adult practice at Blackhawk. Please visit the Biathlon page for more information.

Other Events

TBD

2022-2023 Schedule of Events

*see link to Youth Race Results on the Adult Biathlon page

Date - Location - Event*

4 Dec 2022: MN Cup #1 Sunday only - Mt Itasca, MN

10-11th Dec 2022: Regional Race #1 & #2 - Mt. Itasca, MN

18th Dec 2022: National Guard - Camp Ripley, MN

18th Dec 2022: Wisconsin Cup #1 - Blackhawk Ski Club, Madison, WI

26th Dec - 1 Jan 2023: Youth & Junior Trials - Anchorage, AK

8th Jan 2023: Wisconsin Cup #2 - McMiller, WI CANCELLED

12-22nd Jan 2023: World University Games - Lake Placid, NY

14-15th Jan 2023: National Guard Regionals - Camp Ripley, MN

14 Jan 2023: Regional Race #3 - Blackhawk Ski Club, Madison, WI RESULTS

15 Jan 2023: Regional Race #4 - Blackhawk Ski Club, Madison, WI RESULTS

13-15th Jan 2023: Ariens Nordic Center Open House Event (biathlon day 15 Jan 10am-4pm)

22nd Jan 2023: MN Cup #4 - Elk River, MN

22nd Jan 2023: Wisconsin Cup #5 - McMiller, WI - MOVED TO ARIENS NORDIC CENTER

29th Jan 2023: Regional Race #5 - Elk River, MN

5th Feb 2023: Wisconsin Cup #6 - McMiller, WI

12th Feb 2023: Wisconsin Cup #7 - Ariens Nordic Center - REGISTER HERE - NOVICE "TRY IT" RACE INCLUDED!!!

19th Feb 2023: MN Cup #6 - Elk River, MN

22-26th Feb 2023: American Birkebeiner - Hayward, WI

22 Feb - 2 March 2023: Youth and Junior Worlds

4th March 2023: MN Cup #7 - Duluth, MN

5th March 2023: Wisconsin Cup #8 - Blackhawk Ski Club, Madison, WI

11-12th March 2023: Regional Races #6 & #7 - Ariens Nordic Center

18th March 2023: MN Cup #8 - Mt. Itasca, MN

23-27th March 2023: USBA Nationals

USBA Certification

USBA membership is required to participate in practices and races at Blackhawk. To participate in races or adult practices, USBA safety certification is required. Biathlon Safety Clinics are typically offered in December and April. Watch the Blackhawk calendar of events for the next scheduled safety clinic. USBA memberships are from $15 to $75 and are available at:

https://www.teamusa.org/us-biathlon/membership/join-usba-online

For more information about the Blackhawk biathlon programs, please mark.torresani@blackhawkskiclub.org.