By Sarah Tone, Communications Coordinator

Biathlon combines cross-country skiing and rifle shooting in various events. The sport has been on the winter program since its debut at the 1991 Canada Games in Charlottetown.

Thirty-two years later, at the 2023 Canada Winter Games, most of Team Manitoba’s biathletes got their start in the sport through the cadets. 

Biathlon is one of the optional programs in cadets, and though it isn’t offered at every squadron, it’s a popular program and a common way for athletes to get introduced to the sport. Biathlon’s natural tie-in to the cadets is practical, and creates additional leadership opportunities for senior cadets.

“I went to the same squadron that Payton went to, I was sitting in school one day and he told me I should try out for biathlon, and I really ended up liking it,” said Ravi Maur (18, La Salle)

“We had a sports day at my squadron (301) and some of my officers had seen me running the track and they recruited me. I had no idea what biathlon was. Then I was on the team for a few years, and in 2020, I made it to nationals, where I met Jess [coach], who a few years later reached out to my squadron and recruited me to come to the Games,” said Olive Johnston (19, Argyle)

 

17-year-old Jackson Smith started competing in 2019, in cadets with 191 RCACS when he was 14.

“I most enjoy the combination of a really hard endurance sport – cross country skiing – and taking that all back and really focussing on the shooting.”

Through the COVID-19 pandemic, he started training a lot more and movies into civilian biathlon, with Biathlon Manitoba and Red River Nordic. Over the last year, his goal was to make this team. 

“The Canada Games have been great! All of the volunteers and staff have been amazing and really accommodating. I know they were struggling with snow a bit, but they’ve really put on a great event.”

He talks about his motivations and goals with certainty. It’s clear Jackson is a dedicated athlete who has big dreams. 

“My next goal is nationals, and I want to place in the top 20-to-top 10. After that, after high school, I will go to Whistler or Canmore to train and try get onto the junior world cup, IBU Cup,  world cup, hopefully. My end goal is to end up on the national team, and to race in Europe, but right now I want to do as best I can in every race I compete in.”