Biathlon Racing Development Program

Racing Development Program Air-Rifle – Level 6 (Ages 11 -13)

Athletes are expected to read and abide by the athlete Code of Conduct

The Level 6 Air-Rifle Program is for athletes 11-13 years old who have completed at least Group 2 skills of the Bears program and/or have Level 5 skiing skills and would like to participate in biathlon racing. Athletes in this program wish to develop their full range of athletic abilities and Biathlon racing skills.

Athletes will refine their prone shooting skills with an air rifle on cuff & sling and expand the scope of their racing skills with increased participation at local and regional cross country an biathlon races. Athletes will train 7 months/year starting in September.

Level 6 biathletes will be well trained in the fundamentals of biathlon shooting and skiing. The next step is to join Level 7 or 8 .22 Racing Development teams.

Biathlon is a sport of both shooting and cross-country skate skiing. At this age group (Train to Train), there is a strong emphasis on skiing.

NOTE: Register for Level 6 Air Rifle Program, rather than for any xc program

Schedule

Athletes and parents will agree to the practice and race schedule as detailed by their respective coaches.

Saturday: 10:00 – 12:00 ski training with XC Team & coaches. 1:00 – 3:00 biathlon training
Sunday: 10:00 – 12:00 ski training with XC Team & coaches. Optional open range training at 12:00 ish – 2:00
Wednesdays (optional): after school training with the XC Team/coaches OR the Biathlon Team/coaches as determined by the biathlon coaches
Starts: September 7, 2024
Ends: mid march
Program will not run December 24/25
Included in the program fee are up to 4 afternoon biathlon sessions to be scheduled through the summer at Highlands
Up to 2, 2 -day summer multi sport training camps may be made available for a fee

Coaches will provide a schedule of both mandatory and optional local and regional biathlon races, such as O-Cup, Ontario Championships, Quebec Cup, local invitational races and Cross Country races. Races will be consistent with athlete stage of development as specified in the Biathlon Canada Long Term Athlete Development Model.

Prerequisite:

Ski Skills Development Ski Program Level 5 or Lead Biathlon Coach approval

Athlete Equipment Requirements

Air Arms S400 .177 pellet air rifle, (owned or leased from HTB)
Roller ski poles
Striding/dryland ski poles. Typically 5-10 cm shorter than classic poles.
Helmet, reflective clothing, gloves
Wrist watch with stopwatch/timer functions
Water bottle and carrier
Access to appropriate skate and Classic skis (owned or leased)
Access to early season rock skis (Crown/Classic & Skate)
Skate and classic poles (length suggested by coach)
Skate and classic boots
Blue non fluoro glide wax
Mountain bike

Registration and Fees:

Register for Level 6 Air Rifle Program, rather than for any xc program

$800 – payable in full at registration or in two instalments of $412.50 each (at registration and on December 1st)

Range and Supply Fee – $100

Rifle Rental – S400: $150 (or may provide their own rifle) If own rifle is provided, the rifle rental fee will be refunded.

Service Hour Obligation – see here for an explanation of this program as well as the chart of hours required by program.

Other Fees (Please review Athlete Equipment Requirements)

If you are registering for ANY BIATHLON PROGRAM, please register with Biathlon Ontario / Biathlon Canada BEFORE continuing with registration. Registrants will not be permitted to participate in any range activities without this registration.
Registrants in the HTB Racing Development Programs (Cross Country & Biathlon) and Level 6 must purchase a season pass from Highlands Nordic.
Training camps
Travel, food and accommodation at events
Race entry fees
Coaching & Waxing fees for large events as cost recovery

Racing Development Program .22 – Level 7 (Ages 14+)

Athletes are expected to read and abide by the athlete Code of Conduct

Level 7 will continue the general development of athletic abilities and biathlon racing skills for athletes with a desire to train 11 months a year on a yearly training plan set in consultation with the Lead Coach.

Eligibility

Recommendation from the Level 6 Lead Coach and/or approval of the Biathlon Lead Coach; Jr. Possession and Acquisition License (PAL)*; completion of Safe Sport and Rule of 2 training**. (*at least one parent/guardian must have their PAL)(**info regarding Safe Sport can be found here)

Schedule

Athletes and parents will follow the practice and race schedule as agreed with their respective coaches. Failure to attend practices, camps and/or races may result in suspension and/or dismissal from the program as outlined in the Code of Conduct.

Level 7 is a year-round program which runs from May 1 to March 31.

May to August

Athletes must attend 3 of 4 monthly training camps;
and 1 of 2 weekly training sessions.
Focus on general athletic abilities in a multi-sport environment, aerobic/cardio capacity, strength, shooting skills and an intro to rollerski biathlon racing.

September to November

Athletes must attend 1 of 2 monthly training camps;
1 weekly after school training session;
and 3 weekend training sessions.
Focus is on ski and biathlon specific technique, race skills development, power and speed

December to March

Athletes must attend team race events as specified by their coach.
1 weekly after school training session.
When not racing, 3 weekend training sessions.
Focus is on perfecting ski and shooting technique, racing and recovery

Training hours/program and number of races will be consistent with athlete stage of development specified in the Biathlon Canada Long Term Athlete Development model. Races may include regional or high school Cross Country Races.

Program will not run December 24/25

Travel

Regular practices + Weekend Camps will take place at Highlands Nordic, or within a ~45-minute radius
4 ‘Away’ Training Camps (May to November)
Priority races
Q’Cup & O’Cup Biathlon racing circuit
Local/Regional XC races
National Championships

Dryland Equipment Requirements

Blood test (serum ferritin)
.22 Rifle (Owned or Rented)
Skate rollerskis (Classic recommended but not required)
Skate and Classic rollerski poles with rollerski tips
Helmet
Skate and Classic rollerski boots
Reflective vest or bright coloured tops for roadside training
Drink Belt
Stopwatch
Ski walking/striding poles (classic length or 5cm shorter)
Trail Running shoes
Mountain bike required, road bike recommended
Heart Rate Monitor with chest strap (optional but recommended for athlete development)
Wrist based monitors are not accurate enough for our purposes
Access to a desktop or laptop computer for accessing online training plan
Cellphone

Winter Equipment Requirements

HTB Warm up Jacket and Race Suit
.22 Rifle (Owned or Rented)
1 pair of skate race skis*
1 pair of Skate training skis
1 pair of skate or classic rock skis
1 pair of Classic race skis*
1 pair of Classic training (crowns or skins skis)
Skate length poles (upper lip height)
Classic length poles (83% of height when in ski boots measured to strap)
Skate boots
Classic boots
Drink belt for fluids, snacks, and grip wax
Heart Rate Monitor with stopwatch
Access to a Basic glide wax kit (including an iron, scraper, groove scraper, and nylon brush for glide

* Head Coach can help with guidance in building a race ski fleet when necessary

Fees

$1500 payable in full at registration OR in two instalments of $762.50 (at registration and December 1) OR 11 monthly instalments of $139 starting at registration)

Range and Supply Fees – $285

Service Hour Obligation – see here for an explanation of this program as well as the chart of hours required by program.

Other Fees

If you are registering for ANY BIATHLON PROGRAM, please register with Biathlon Ontario / Biathlon Canada BEFORE continuing with registration. Registrants will not be permitted to participate in any range activities without this registration.

Racing Development Program .22 – Level 8 (Ages 14+)

Athletes are expected to read and abide by the athlete Code of Conduct

Athlete Interested in Training 11 months a year on a Yearly Training Plan and Competing at Inter-Provincial & Aspiring to achieve personal excellence at National Level. Requires PAL.

Level 8 is an extension of Level 7. The main difference is Level 8 athletes are expected to have a higher degree of motivation, are expected to complete all self directed training outlined in their Yearly Training Plans and have a desire to excel at Nationals and Trials Events.

Eligibility

Recommendation from the Level 6 Lead Coach and/or approval of the Biathlon Head Coach; Jr. Possession and Acquisition License (PAL)*; completion of Safe Sport and Rule of 2 training. (*at least one parent/guardian must have their PAL)

Athletes in the level 8 program will:

Attend all the training camps described in the Level 7 program
Attend 2 weekly shooting or multi-sport training sessions through the spring/summer.
Attend at Saturday, Sunday and mid-week training through the fall and winter
Maintain a training log/journal, either virtual or hard copy
Communicate with the Lead Coach (this is the athlete’s responsibility)
Regular monitoring of development
have more direct input from the Lead Coach than those in Level 7
Have appropriate level of technical support at Nationals as well as other races
Be a positive role model for younger teammates

Training, team rules and equipment requirements are the same as level 7. Level 8 biathletes are not encouraged to participate in high school XC programs.

Fees

$2000 payable in full at registration OR in two instalments of $1022.50 at registration & December 1 OR 11 monthly instalments of $184 starting at registration.

Range and Supply Fee – $285

Service Hour Obligation – see here for an explanation of this program as well as the chart of hours required by program.

Other Fees

If you are registering for ANY BIATHLON PROGRAM, please register with Biathlon Ontario / Biathlon Canada BEFORE continuing with registration. Registrants will not be permitted to participate in any range activities without this registration.