Biathlon
.
A seemingly unlikely combination of events – one is an aerobic activity
(skiing or running) which requires strength, speed and endurance; the
other is a passive activity (shooting) which requires concentration and
a steady hand (difficult after you’ve been skiing, running or walking
all out!).
After a great and well attended '08, we are ready to begin Pemigewasset Valley Fish and Game Club’s third season of Biathlon with five events this summer (2009). Also, watch this website for announcements of winter biathlon events.
The Summer biathlon season at Pemigewassett Valley Fish and Game Club will get started on Saturday,June 6. This also starts the third annual season of the Harvard and Pemigewasset Biathlon League between MA and NH. Each team may have unlimited members with the best 4 results counted for each event for each team. There will be teams registered as “Match Teams” or as “Sport Teams”. The “Sport Team” is designed for novices/beginners/youth and they will shoot at the larger targets prone as well as offhand and they will run/walk shorter distances.
There will be 6 league events over the course of the Summer, and the best 3 of 6 team scores will be used to determine league team standings. Everyone also gets an individual score with the best 3 of 6 for the season counting for individual standing.
The earliest known reference to hunting from skis goes back to Norwegian cave paintings dated 2000 years ago. The first known biathlon with firearms was held in Scandanavia in the mid 1700’s. Biathlon was adopted as an Olympic sport in 1955. Well-known local competitive skier, Jack Armstrong, visited the club at our first event in '07 and told us about being on the United States team in the first World Biathlon Championships held in Saalfelden, Austria in 1958. This was the US introduction to winter biathlon competition and the training ground for the US participation in the first Olympic Biathlon which was held in Squaw Valley, California in 1960. Olympic Biathlons use the same caliber rifles on the same-sized targets at the same distances as we will be using here at the Pemi competitions
Summer Biathlon grew naturally out of Winter Biathlon as a means of keeping in shape for the whole season.
Cross-country running is the most popular form of Summer Biathlon in the
U.S.A. and Canada. In addition to the Match Class for experienced biathletes,
we offer a Walk Class, a Beginner Class, a Novice Class and a Youth Class
where the same or alternative distances are walked or run. This allows
everyone to take part in this sport! In addition, we will have a Mountain
Bike Biathlon for our last event, Sunday, October 4.
NEW IN "09: The Pemi is proud to now also offer a WHEELCHAIR CLASS at all events!
There
are 2 shooting positions: prone and standing (offhand), using 45mm
(1.77 inch) and 115mm (4.53 inch) diameter “bullseyes” of steel targets. Both however present black bullseyes that are 115mm diameter, and both positions are shot from 50m (54 yds. 2 feet). The Pemi purchased 10 of the official steel targets for the 2008 season, thereby eliminating the frustrations with the paper targets we experienced in '07! This purchase was underwritten by a grant from the NRA Foundation.
Men
will run 4 km (about 2-1/2 miles) and women will run 3.5 km in
the Match Class. Both men and women will shoot 20 shots and run an
additional 100m (109 yards) per missed shot. All rifles must be
bolt-action (or Fortner) with iron sights and either single-feed or
four 5-shot clips. All ammunition must be .22 LR lead only and sub-sonic (below 1150 f.p.s.)
Rifles will be stored in a rack between shooting bouts. The winner is
the participant with the shortest total elapsed time. The clock keeps
running continuously from start to finish.
There are 5 parts to the match for the Match Classes:
Start
Part 1 – run 800m shoot 5 shots prone, run penalty loops.
Part 2 – run 800m shoot 5 shots prone, run penalty loops.
Part 3 – run 800m shoot 5 shots standing, run penalty loops.
Part 4 – run 800m shoot 5 shots standing, run penalty loops.
Part 5 – run 800m
Finish
If
5 finish the winner of a race gets 5 points, second-place gets 4
points, etc., match teams taking their points first, then everyone else
(Match and Sport). Races are held rain or shine, but will be cancelled
if thunder is heard from the property during a race. Rifles may be
protected from rain by clear plastic garbage bags, if necessary.
The 6 dates for the league matches this Summer are:
June 6 at Holderness, NH
TBA at Harvard, MA
July 18 at Holderness, NH
TBA at Harvard, MA
August 15 at Holderness, NH
TBA at Harvard, MA
Also, on September 19 there will be “Fun Shoot” at the Pemi in Holderness: introductory instruction, some shortened courses of fire, a biathlon clinic by veteran biathlete Kevin Brooker, and just a fun, family time!
And, on Sunday, October 4 there will be a Mountain Bike Biathlon where biking is done rather than running!
Registration for
the Pemi events will take place at the clubhouse from 8:30 to 9:30 a.m
on the day of the event. The safety & range briefing and the
sight-in period will be at the range starting at 9:15 a.m. Matches
will be scheduled to start at 10:30. The events in Massachusetts will
be held at Harvard Sportsmen’s Club and New Hampshire events at the
Pemi ranges in Holderness. All events are open to the public, ages
12-99. Ages 12-17 must be accompanied by an adult parent or legal
guardian.
Some club rifles may be available: best to request one at least 2 days in advance. Also, eye/ear protection is required. If loaners are needed please request these at least 2 days prior to an event. Races
are held rain or shine, but will be cancelled if thunder is heard from
the property during a race. Rifles may be protected from rain by clear
plastic garbage bags, if necessary.
What to bring: Rifle,
ammo, spotting scope (if available), shooting mat (if available),
water, bug dope, sunscreen, clear plastic garbage bag for rifle and a
raincoat.
Registration fees at Pemi, $10.00 June, July and September & October/ $15.00 August
or $35.00 non-refundable for first four events and $45 for all
five events. Contact Information: