The Victorian Biathlon Championships were held at Whiskey Flat Range, Mt Hotham, VIC on 25/26 July, with the largest field since at least 2008!
Nearly 40 athletes, plus over 20 dedicated coaches and officials, all braved blustery wind and snow, including several participants in the laser biathlon class. Mt Hotham groomers did a great job in the testing conditions, which included “chronic snowfall” all weekend.
Saturday’s race was a first for third generation Australian biathlete Jorja Cullen, who participated in the Women Under 13 age group, and skied onto the .22 range for the first time in a Championship event, following in the tracks of her mother Lynn-Maree Cullen and grandfather Bob Cranage OAM. This was not Jorja’s first on snow biathlon race; last year she participated in the sports class event.
We were pleased to welcome many new racers to our event, including Masters athletes and laser “young newbies” Hugo Likar, Madison Clarke, Lauren Clarke, along with Amity Marantelli who joined friend Jorja on the .22 range, as well as Angus Martin, who joined us from Canada.
In addition, four athletes from ITA and SUI participated in the Men and Women Open events.
Despite the challenging conditions on both days, races were run and enjoyed in good spirits.
Winner of the Men’s Open Individual on Saturday was Paolo Rodigari (ITA), followed by first Australian Damon Morton, with Emil Bormetti (ITA) placing third.
Winner of the Women’s Open Individual on Saturday was Jillian Colebourn, followed by Laura Caduff (SUI) and Camilla Bormolini (ITA).
On Sunday, the Men’s Open Sprint winner was Damon Morton, followed by Paolo Rodigari and Emil Bormetti, with the Women’s Sprint placings being Laura Caduff first, followed by Camilla Bormolini and Jillian Colebourn.
Jorja Cullen (centre, 3rd generation), Lynn-Maree Cullen (L, pink jacket, 2nd generation), Bob Cranage OAM (L, black jacket, first generation) and families from NE Victoria
The next Championship event is the Australian Biathlon Championships on 15/16 August.
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