An official website of the United States government
Here's how you know
A .mil website belongs to an official U.S. Department of Defense organization in the United States.
A lock (lock ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .mil website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

Archives

NEWS | April 12, 2018

Biathlon, Colorado National Guard Style

By Staff Sgt. Joseph K. VonNida Colorado National Guard Public Affairs

Every state has a National Guard, and it's not surprising that a state known for snowy mountain tops and a thriving ski industry would have a biathlon team. When you put the two together, you get a diverse and unique group of individuals who do whatever it takes to compete.

According to National Guard Regulation 350-10, biathlon skills have played an important role in winter warfare and military defense since the Great Scandinavian War in the early 1700s. The combination of skiing and marksmanship practiced by the military has continued into the present era because of the training and fitness value that the sport demands.

The first World Biathlon Championships were held in 1958 and included a representative team of military personnel from Camp Hale, Colorado. Two years later, the Winter Olympic Games introduced the modern form of the sport.

From 1958 to 1973, Fort Richardson, Alaska, was home to a biathlon training center for military athletes. In its final year under U.S. Army control, the military biathlon program transferred to the Vermont National Guard.

National Guard Biathlon has a long history of supporting and developing biathletes who, in turn, enter the World Class Athlete Program and compete in World Cup and Olympic biathlon events.

As of March 2017, the Colorado National Guard Biathlon Team had 11 competitors: six officers, two warrant officers and three Non-commissioned Officers including one from the Colorado Air National Guard.

 "A first for this team in a long while," CONG biathlete U.S. Army 1st Lt. Bailey Bullock said about having an Air National Guard member on the team.

Bullock was a newcomer to the team at his race in February 2017 at Snow Mountain Ranch in Granby, Colorado, where the team trains and competes.

"We like to train as a team whenever possible, but this year our schedules have been really demanding," Bullock said. "This year, our training has occurred just prior to the event either individual or in small groups."

He said that team training has been done in the past and that it's a goal for next season.

Team members train on Nordic ski areas around Colorado in Frisco, Snow Mountain Ranch, and Eldora. Training opportunities include competitions and other events.

 "It's important to get the knowledge and experience of those who have been doing the sport for a while, and it's a good motivator having the support," Bullock said.

U.S. Army National Guard Capt. Robert Killian placed fourth overall at the 2017 regional competition. The CONG finished third, as a team.

U.S. Army Lt. Col. Mark Rehyer invited Bullock to join the team.

"Since we work in the same office, he talked about it a lot, and I wanted to try it," Bullock said. "I get to ski and shoot, two things that are a lot of fun, how can that possibly be bad?"

The National Guard issues the team's equipment, the rifle and the uniform, .The only things team members must provide are gloves and boots.

Biathlon, as history represents, has a lot of similarities with Army training and culture.

"Generally speaking the physical aspect, having to stay in shape, and the shooting are directly related to my Army skills," Bullock said. "While the style of shooting is different, prone or standing, while wearing skis, breathing, trigger squeeze, sight picture, and position all apply."

Bullock has practiced downhill skiing for a number of years but says biathlon is so much different.

 "The first day, I took a class and it made me realize that I had to amend my workout plan to include more cardio and more leg work," Bullock said. "After that first day, I was really sore."

"Also, when skiing hard, breathing is increased, and shooting is more difficult. As you come into the range you have to slow your breathing while your heart is pounding," Bullock said. "This is what separates those who are really good from the novices."

The CONG finished the year at the National Guard Western Regional Competition in Jerico, Vermont in January 2018.

The CONG Men's team finished third overall while newcomer U.S. Army Sgt. Lisl Pearson took first in both the women's 7.5-kilometer novice sprint and 7.5-kilometer novice pursuit events. U.S. Army Chief Warrant Officer 2 Niall MacGregor placed third in the men's 12.5-kilometer senior pursuit.

"I had no idea I had finish so far ahead of everyone in my class until my coaches told me," said Pearson. "I had a few hiccups like dropping a pole and crashing during a penalty lap, but I used those setbacks to push harder and faster."

"The team comradery definitely gave me a winning edge," Pearson said. "It's an amazing sport, and I love it."

Now that the season is over, and the snow will make way for summer, biathletes will find other ways to maintain their skills.

"In the off season, we will train with roller skate skis. It's the same motion we use on the snow, but you must pick your training area carefully because they don't have a breaking mechanism," Bullock said. "Time to focus on the future."

October 2024 (3)
September 2024 (2)
August 2024 (4)
July 2024 (8)
June 2024 (1)
May 2024 (4)
April 2024 (5)
March 2024 (5)
February 2024 (1)
January 2024 (3)
December 2023 (5)
November 2023 (3)
October 2023 (6)
September 2023 (2)
August 2023 (3)
July 2023 (6)
June 2023 (4)
May 2023 (6)
April 2023 (2)
March 2023 (2)
February 2023 (2)
January 2023 (6)
December 2022 (5)
November 2022 (5)
October 2022 (2)
September 2022 (7)
August 2022 (5)
July 2022 (3)
June 2022 (7)
May 2022 (3)
April 2022 (4)
March 2022 (3)
February 2022 (4)
January 2022 (5)
December 2021 (7)
November 2021 (3)
October 2021 (2)
September 2021 (2)
August 2021 (6)
July 2021 (4)
June 2021 (1)
May 2021 (5)
April 2021 (5)
March 2021 (5)
February 2021 (2)
January 2021 (3)
December 2020 (3)
November 2020 (7)
October 2020 (6)
September 2020 (6)
August 2020 (8)
July 2020 (9)
June 2020 (7)
May 2020 (10)
April 2020 (9)
March 2020 (2)
February 2020 (4)
January 2020 (5)
December 2019 (6)
November 2019 (2)
October 2019 (8)
September 2019 (4)
August 2019 (7)
July 2019 (5)
June 2019 (2)
May 2019 (6)
April 2019 (9)
March 2019 (2)
February 2019 (2)
January 2019 (3)
December 2018 (4)
November 2018 (6)
October 2018 (2)
September 2018 (3)
August 2018 (9)
July 2018 (1)
June 2018 (1)
May 2018 (1)
April 2018 (5)
October 2017 (1)
May 2017 (1)
April 2017 (2)
March 2017 (2)
February 2017 (3)
January 2017 (1)
November 2016 (1)
October 2016 (2)
September 2016 (5)
August 2016 (3)
July 2016 (4)
May 2016 (2)
April 2016 (3)
March 2016 (1)
February 2016 (4)
January 2016 (1)
December 2015 (1)
November 2015 (3)
October 2015 (3)
September 2015 (2)
August 2015 (1)
July 2015 (1)
June 2015 (2)
May 2015 (3)
March 2015 (1)
February 2015 (1)
October 2014 (1)
September 2014 (1)
June 2014 (1)
April 2014 (1)
May 2013 (1)
April 2013 (4)
March 2013 (8)
February 2013 (9)
January 2013 (7)
November 2012 (1)
April 2012 (2)
January 2012 (1)
March 2010 (1)