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News: Summer 2011
15 Nov 11 - SJUSJØEN SELECTION MOVES TO BEITOSTØLEN
After the fun and games of re-booking all potential 14 athletes and 4 support staff into Östersund from Idre (see below), there were even more surprises in store this afternoon.
Although the FIS Nordic WC was moved to Sjusjøen because of a lack of snow in Beitostølen FIS has now decided that they need "exclusive rights" in Sjusjøen. (To be honest the IBU would have done the same!). Thus our GBR Selection races will now re-locate from Sjusjøen to Beitostølen, where what little snow there is in in the area of the range; and there is enough artificial snow to give a short biathlon loop! Ironically Beitostølen was were we had very successful Selection races last year, but could not go this this year due to the (now cancelled) Beito Sprints and the FIS WC!
It thus looks that we shall finally have a series of Selection races, although until the athletes move there tomorrow (Wed 16 Nov), we are not sure in what order! Probably:
Fri 18 Nov: Sprint
Sun 20 Sep: Sprint
Mon 21 Nov: Indiv
Obviously all the changes affect the logistics and travel plans (and the budget!) and no least the athletes' mental, if not physical preparation and we sympathise with their problems. At the same time we wish to acknowledge the efforts of the Support Staff to ensure that we can have a smooth as possible series of races in these unprecedented warm times. The athletes hoping for Selection are:
| Men |
Women |
||||
| Bdr Simon ALLANSON | 40 Regt RA | LCpl Jenna BEDDOE | REME, 39 Engr Regt | ||
| LCpl Jason ASHWORTH | 28 Engr Regt | LCpl Emma COPE (NDS) | 29 Regt RLC | ||
| LCpl Pete BEYER | 1 LSR RLC | Spr Charlotte HARRIS | 25 Engr Regt | ||
| Cpl Paul BIRMINGHAM | 1 RTR | Cpl Nerys JONES | AGC | ||
| LCpl Dan FULLER | 2 RTR | Cpl Amanda LIGHTFOOT | AGC | ||
| LCpl Ben COTTOM | 131 Indep Cdo Sqn RE (V) | Flt Lt Fay POTTON | RAF | ||
| LCpl Carl GIBSON | 2 CS Bn REME | SSgt Adele WALKER | 29 Regt RLC | ||
| Cfn Alex GLEAVE | 2 CS Bn REME | ||||
| LCpl Lee-Steve JACKSON | 2 YORKS (Green Howards) | Junior Men & YOWG Selection | |||
| Bdr Kevin KANE | 40 Regt RA | Calum IRVINE | CBNSC | ||
| LCpl Marcel LAPONDER | 28 Engr Regt | Scott DIXON | CBNSC | ||
| Spr Christian LEWIS | 33 Engr Regt (EOD) | ||||
| Cfn Warren MELIA | 2 CS Bn REME | ||||
| Spr Joel SMITH | 28 Engr Regt | Guest | |||
| LCpl Ben WOOLLEY | 1 LSR RLC | Bdr Steve HILL | 3 RHA | ||
| Support Staff | |||||
| Walter PICHLER | Marc WALKER | Scott BANES | Martin GLAGOW | ||
| Selection Committee | |||||
| Eddy LOWE (Chairman) | Mark GOODSON | Walter PICHLER | Marc WALKER | ||
13 Nov 11 - "THE BOYS AT BRUKS"
Our two "Boys" from Cairngorm Biathlon & Nordic SC who are looking to fill the one quota slot in Biathlon & the one in Nordic between them at the inaugural Youth Olympic Winter Games in Innsbruck in January have made an excellent start to their campaign.
With the Junior races cancelled they competed in a World Class field in the 15 km Cross Country at Bruskvallarna NOR yesterday. Calum IRVINE was 135th from 165 starters in 36:59.7 with 122.90 FIS Points and Scott DIXON 151st in 37:58.1 and 146.75 FIS Points. Both boys were comfortably inside the BSS / BIS qualification for Innsbruck. In percentage terms Calum was 13.03% and Scott 16.00%.
It should make for an interesting race when they compete in the GBR Biathlon Selection races this week in Sjusjøen NOR (see above story).
3 Nov 11 - BBU BOARD CHANGES
The BBU Board is sad to announce that Lt Col Angus CAMERON who has been a Board Member for just over 2 years has had to resign due to Military Commitments. Angus has also had to relinquish his post as Chairman Army Nordic. Angus Cameron has been a great supporter of British Biathlon for many years and has been involved in Army Nordic skiing through Ex Rucksack and the AWSA for over 15 years. We thank him for his unstinting support to both the AWSA & the BBU; hopefully he will have time to return to Biathlon after his present posting. |
The 2nd draw of the BBU Lottery took place on 01 Oct, and thanks to a late flourish of PayPal purchasers the prize money was much increased from before. But, we need to sell many more tickets before YOU become a millionaire! So, please support the BBU and buy Lottery tickets for the next quarterly, and all future, Lottery Draws. Click for Info
Results:
1st (50% of prize Money) - Ticket # 60
2nd (20%) - Ticket # 36
3rd (10%) - Ticket # 7
4th (10%) - Ticket # 43
5th (10%) Ticket # 52
As stated below (30 Sep) we can no longer use PayPal. Although we hope to introduce a new on-line system soon, if you wish to play in the 01 January 12 draw, join now by completing the Standing Order form.
02 Oct 11 - LAST MONTH FOR NATIONAL SQUAD IN RUPOLDING
As the athletes face their final month of summer training we can publish an up to date list of who is still in the Squads. On snow training will commence on 01 November in Sjusjøen, Norway.
| "Pichler Squad" | ||||
| LCpl Pete BEYER | 1 LSR RLC | Cfn Alex GLEAVE | REME / 3 RHA | |
| Cpl Paul BIRMINGHAM | 1 RTR | Bdr Kevin KANE | 40 Regt RA | |
| LCpl Dan FULLER | 2 RTR | LCpl Ben WOOLLEY | 1 LSR RLC | |
| LCpl Carl GIBSON | 2 CS Bn REME | Cpl Amanda LIGHTFOOT | AGC | |
| "Walker Squad" (supported by Stewart Laing, EIS) | ||||
| Bdr Simon ALLANSON | 40 Regt RA | LCpl Jenna BEDDOE | REME, 39 Engr Regt | |
| LCpl Jason ASHWORTH | 28 Engr Regt | Cpl Nerys JONES | AGC | |
| Spr Ben COTTOM | 131 Indep Cdo Sqn RE (V) | Spr Charlotte HARRIS | 25 Engr Regt | |
| Spr Christian LEWIS | 33 Engr Regt (EOD) | Flt Lt Fay POTTON | RAF | |
| LCpl Marcel LAPONDER | 28 Engr Regt | SSgt Adele WALKER | 29 Regt RLC | |
| Cfn Warren MELIA | REME / 7 Regt RLC | Pte Roxy MASTERS | 29 Regt RLC | |
| Spr Joel SMITH | 28 Engr Regt | (injured and on Rehab in UK until Nov!) | ||
| Private Training (Norway) | Private Training (Scotland) | |||
| LCpl Lee-Steve JACKSON | 2 YORKS (Green Howards) | Olwen THORN | Huntly NSC | |
2 Oct 11 - NATIONAL SELECTION RACES
The 2011 National Selection Races will be held in Sjusjøen, Norway. Although we would be surprised to select anyone other than a current member of the National Squad (see below), the races are open to all UK Passport holders. All travel, on snow, accommodation and insurance costs is at your own expense! If you wish to enter please contact the Sec Gen BBU.
Races are scheduled for 15 Nov (Individual); 17 Nov (Sprint); 18 Nov (Mass Start). Teams will be selected on 19 Nov and the BBU then "picks up the tab" for the lucky athletes from 20 Nov.
02 Oct 11 - TWO STAFFS IN THE WALKER FAMILY
Many congratulations to Sgt Adele WALKER who will be promoted to Staff Sergeant as from tomorrow 03 October. She thus equals her husband SSgt Marc WALKER, who is her squad Coach! We wish them both a very happy German holiday tomorrow (although knowing Marc, his wife will be on the range or running a half marathon at 08:00).
Adele has been a regular member of the GBR WV team for the past 6 seasons. She has always held the # 1 or 2 slot and has competed in over 50 WC races. Like all the athletes, she is totally focussed on the 2012 World Championships in our "home" venue of Ruhpolding in March.
30 Sep 11- BBU LOTTERY NO LONGER ON PAYPAL!
A big thank you to all our supporters who joined the BBU Lottery and paid through PayPal in the past week. Unfortunately PayPal rejected our Appeal that we could use their excellent system to purchase further tickets, as Gaming (including Lotteries) is effectively not allowed on PayPal. (We would have thought that our application to open our "BBU Lottery" account may have raised some alarm bells!).
At least the Draw this weekend will produce better returns for both the winners and the BBU!
In the meantime if you wish to play in the 01 January 12 draw join now by completing the Standing Order form. We hope to streamline this process in the next few weeks.
Good Luck & Thank You!
24 Sep 11 - SUMMER BIATHLON WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS
GBR will field a "reduced" team from the "Walker Squad" at the 2011 Summer Biathlon World Championships this weekend in Nove-Mesto CZE. Two Juniors will be making their International début: Spr Christian LEWIS 33 Engr Regt and Cfn Warren MELIA 2 CS Bn REME. Lewis remains a "Junior" for the entire winter, but Melia becomes a "Senior" on 01 November. Joining them will be Bdr Simon ALLANSON 40 Regt RA, LCpl Marcel LAPONDER 28 Engr Regt, Cpl Nerys JONES AGC, Flt Lt Fay POTTON RAF and Sgt Adele WALKER 29 Regt RLC.
Both the Senior & Junior Mixed relays yesterday were won by Russia (there was no GBR entry). Today is the Sprints, and hopefully tomorrow, the Pursuits. Results are Live on www.biathlonworld.com. Senior races are also Live & with repeats on Eurosport - but not in the UK!
As we go to press we are delighted to report that Christian LEWIS finished in 41st place and qualifies for the Pursuit, as does Marcel LAPONDER who showed few effects of a 3 month military course in the summer to miss just one target.
Results, Sat: Jun Men Sprint Men Sprint Women Sprint
Results, Sun: Jun Men Pursuit Men Pursuit Women Pursuit
24 Sep 11 - BT BRITISH OLYMPIC BALL - O7 OCT 11
Two of Britain’s best loved entertainers, Stephen Fry and Miranda Hart, have been confirmed as the hosts of this year’s BT British Olympic Ball at Kensington Olympia on Friday 7th October.
Strictly Come Dancing star, Rory
Bremner, along with Tinchy Stryder and Dappy also confirmed for
prestigious event. Sir Tom Jones has already been unveiled as the
headline act for the event.
With limited
spaces left available for the evening, this announcement
represents the last chance for anyone interested in attending to
book one of the remaining tables. For more information on the BT
British Olympic Ball, or to book tickets, visit
www.britisholympicball.com
22 Jul 11 - GBR WORLD & IBU CUP SELECTION 2011 - 12
Last season was the first one with the new IBU "promotion & relegation" system which saw athletes loose their WC qualification during a Trimester and resulted in National Federations (NFs) "playing the Percentage Game" (which affects both WC & IBU Cup quotas). We think that the BBU played it better than some and as a result will have 5 men and 4 women starting in IBU Cup next season, although only 2 and 1 in WC - as before.
All NFs (other than the top dozen or so) will be a bit sharper when "Playing the Game" especially when making Race to Race selection next winter. This is reflected in the 2011 - 12 BBU Selection Policy which should be read by all those aspiring to compete for GBR next winter. Click for GBR Selection Policy.
22 Jul 11 - BBU SELECTION POLICY FOR YOUTH OWG
The first Youth Olympic Winter Games will be held in Innsbruck AUT (with Biathlon at Seefeld) from 13 - 22 Jan 12. As national quotas are based on the WC Nations Cup finishing positions last season, GBR will have a quota of only one male and one female athlete. There is a total of only 50 quota places (maximum 2 per Nation) for both males & females.
Athletes have to born between 01 Jan 94 and 31 Dec 95. On the "Long List" submitted to the BOA we have declared no females of sufficient quality, but do have two males: Calum IRVINE & Scott DIXON, both from Cairngorm BNSC. Both boys attended the European Youth Olympic Futures Festival last season and are in great form in the British XC Roller Ski Series this summer.
Final Selection will be made by the BOA in mid December. Click for BBU Selection Policy.
22 Jul 11 - AMANDA IS ATHLETE OF THE YEAR
Many congratulations to Cpl Amanda LIGHTFOOT AGC upon winning the coveted BOA / BBU Athlete of the Year award for 2011. Amanda improved both her skiing and shooting performance (with an 83% shooting hit rate) and ended the season as the clear GBR #1 female biathlete. She only made her IBU Cup debut in 2007 - 08 following with the World Cup a year later and recorded a number of "Personal Bests" during the 2010 - 11 season. The highlight for last season was becoming the first GBR athlete to score WC "Individual Points" since 1992 when she finished 34th in the World Champs 15 km Individual.
Together, with all other recipients of this annual BOA award, Amanda will be invited to the live BBC Sports Personality of the Year evening in Birmingham on Sun 18 Dec, although we expect her to be racing in the Mixed Relay at WC 3 on that day!
Previous winners of the BBU award have been:
2009 & 2010 LCpl Lee-Steve JACKSON 2 Yorks (Green Howards)
2008
Cpl Adele WALKER 29 Regt RLC
2007 LBdr Kevin KANE 40 Regt RA
2006 Sgt Tom CLEMENS DDLI & APTC
22 Jul 11 - NORWEGIAN TERROR ATTACKS
Incoming news of deaths following a bombing at the Norwegian Parliament in Oslo, and of a shooting at a Political Youth Camp are appalling and tragic. The BBU has many friends in, and a deep attachment to, Norway. We extend our sympathy to the Government and all the people of Norway and especially to the biathletes and our friends in the Norwegian Biathlon Association (NSSF).
06 Jul 11 - ALL CHANGE FOR NATIONAL SQUAD IN RUPOLDING
We originally published details on 03 Mar of the National Squad who will spend most of the summer training in Ruhpolding. Since then, there has been a re-assessment and the line up of the athletes is now:
| "Pichler Squad" | ||||
| LCpl Pete BEYER | 1 LSR RLC | LCpl Carl GIBSON | 2 CS Bn REME | |
| Cpl Paul BIRMINGHAM | 1 RTR | Cfn Alex GLEAVE | REME / 3 RHA | |
| LCpl John DUNNETT | 1 LSR RLC | Bdr Kevin KANE | 40 Regt RA | |
| LCpl Dan FULLER | 1 RTR | LCpl Ben WOOLLEY | 1 LSR RLC | |
| Cpl Amanda LIGHTFOOT AGC | ||||
| "Walker Squad" (supported by Stewart Laing, Bangor University) | ||||
| Bdr Simon ALLANSON | 40 Regt RA | LCpl Jenna BEDDOE | REME, 39 Engr Regt | |
| LCpl Jason ASHWORTH | 28 Engr Regt | Cpl Nerys JONES | AGC | |
| Spr Ben COTTOM | 131 Indep Cdo Sqn RE (V) | Spr Charlotte HARRIS | 25 Engr Regt | |
| Spr Christian LEWIS | 33 Engr Regt | Pte Roxy MASTERS | 29 Regt RLC | |
| LCpl Marcel LAPONDER | 28 Engr Regt | LCpl Jamielee McCREADIE | 29 Regt RLC | |
| Cfn Warren MELIA | REME / 7 Regt RLC | Flt Lt Fay POTTON | RAF | |
| Spr Joel SMITH | 28 Engr Regt | Sgt Adele WALKER | 29 Regt RLC | |
| Private Training (Norway) | Private Training (Scotland) | |||
| LCpl Lee-Steve JACKSON | 2 YORKS (Green Howards) | Olwen THORN | Huntly NSC | |
06 Jul 11 - BBU WELCOMES NEW CHAIRMAN
André Oszmann, who has been a Director of the BBU since January 2008, was unanimously elected as Chairman at the 75th Board Meeting held at the Holiday Inn, London Heathrow on Monday 27 June 2011.
André recently retired as CEO of Skandia International, a member of the Old Mutual Investment Group. Skandia has been the prime sponsor of the BBU and a BOA / FTSE Business Partner since 2006, although this relationship will end in April 2012. Skandia are also the title sponsor for the British sailing team for the 2012 Olympic campaign.
06 Jul 11 - 2018 OLYMPIC WINTER GAMES AWARDED TO KOREA
PyeongChang KOR was today elected as the host city for the XXIII Olympic Winter Games in February 2018.
At the 123rd Congress of the IOC in Durban RSA, and in their third bid attempt, PyeongChang won on the first round of voting ahead of Munich GER and Annecy FRA. The BBU had declared its support to the BOA for Munich, however the GBR ice sports were in favour of PyeongChang and we thus presume the BOA voted for the Korean city, which has a population of just 47,000!
For political reasons, as well as the wish of the IOC to "spread the winter sports message to Asia", or as the cynic would say, "to tap into the lucrative world of Asian TV and Samsung marketing", PyeongChang was always the favourite. The Koreans made a very sound presentation, and undoubtedly have "a lot" of money available. The strong bid from Munich, after a slow start to their campaign, focussed on both the sporting and non-sporting infrastructure which was arguably the best of the three. Annecy's bid and vision was a little disappointing albeit full of joie de vie!
We can only hope that the organisation and weather in PyeongChang is better in 2018, than it was for the Biathlon World Championships held there in 2009.
Voting:
| PyeongChang KOR | 63 |
| Munich GER | 25 |
| Annecy FRA | 7 |
06 Jul 11 - 2nd BBU LOTTERY DRAW
The 2nd draw of the BBU Lottery took place on 01 Jul. Once again the winners will not become millionaires, as relatively few tickets have so far been sold, but from small acorns grow large "financial" trees. The BBU Board is committed to supporting and marketing the Lottery, so please support the BBU and buy Lottery tickets for the next quarterly, and all future, Lottery Draws. Click for Info
Results:
1st (50% of prize Money) - Ticket # 13
2nd (20%) - Ticket # 17
3rd (10%) - Ticket #25
4th (10%) - Ticket # 31
5th (10%) Ticket # 6
06 Jul 11 - SNOWSPORT ENGLAND ROLLER SKI COURSES
Snowsport England (SSE) are running two more Roller Ski Course during the summer (27 - 28 Aug, and 01 - 02 Oct. Click for : Info Booking Proforma.
06 Jul 11 - JOINT SERVICE BIATHLON COURSES
The Army will be running two Joint Services Biathlon Shooting Instructor (JSBSI) Courses at Bisley from 11-16 & 18-23 Sep. This course is Module 1 of the JS Biathlon Coaching Scheme and covers marksmanship and range practices using the Anschutz biathlon rifle.
A Joint Services Biathlon Coach (JSBC) Course will take place at Bisley from 25-30 Sep 11. This Course is Module 2 of the JS Biathlon Coaching Scheme, which differs from the JSBSI course as it includes the use of roller skis and other biathlon specific techniques to replicate biathlon racing conditions.
The Army Instruction is 2011DIN07-113. For further info Email Major John "Smudge" Smith or Tel: 01980 656407; (Mil) 94342 4107.
06 Jul 11 - LONDON 2012 NEWS
Tickets
Unlike your webmaster, you may have been lucky enough to receive tickets in the Public ticket ballot for London 2012. But, we really do take our hat off to Seb Coe and LOCOG for selling 85% of all tickets more than a year before the Games. Never before in Olympic history has this been achieved; it is unlikely that PyeonChang will fill their stadia - unless it is with the bussed-in school kids we see on TV at so many venues. If you bid for London 2012 tickets through the BBU last November, and were then allocated them in February, we can confirm that your tickets (we only got 62 for the entire Games!) are secure. Details of the final payment will be sent in due course.
Torch Relay & Volunteers
Very shortly the BBU (as a National Governing Body - NGB) will be receiving information from the BOA of how YOU can apply to be one of the 8000 runners in the Torch Relay or become a Volunteer for the Games. But, rather like NGB ticket issue (above) there will not be many places available, and once we advertise on this website (soon) there will be a very short time to apply. Watch this space!
6 Jul 11 - BBU SEEKS WAXMEN
The BBU is looking for one or 2 waxmen (Wax Technicians) to work with the World Cup & IBU Cup teams during the 2011 - 12 season. The World Cup waxman would be expect to work for approximately 12 weeks during the season, the IBU Cup waxman for 9 or 10 weeks. All travel and living costs will be met by the BBU and pay is negotiable, depending on experience.
Applications are welcome from current or past wax technicians / coaches / athletes - of any Nationality, although all applicants will be expected to speak some English with German a useful 2nd language.
Those interested should apply by Email with a short résumé of their career by 05 Aug 11. Application can be made direct by Email to Mark Goodson the Sec Gen BBU or to one of the two GBR Coaches: Walter Pichler or Marc Walker
06 Jul 11 - BRITISH CHAMPIONSHIPS 2012 PROGRAMME
The draft programme for the British National, Inter Service & Army Championships 2012 (Ex Rucksack 12) has been published. Once again we return to Ruhpolding GER with Nordic (Cross Country) held from Sat 21 - Tue 24 Jan 12 and the Military Patrol Race on Thu 02 Feb. Biathlon is from Thu 26 - Tue 31 Jan. For the first time there will be floodlit biathlon races (Women's Sprint & Senior/Junior Men's Mass Start).
The BBU AGM 2012 will be held on Sun 29 Jan.
The Army Exercise Instruction (DIN) will be published on the ArmyNet shortly. Army athletes, except those in the GBR Teams, are required to qualify through one of the Divisional Championships (Ex Pipedown / Ex Spartan Hike). British civilians and foreign guest competitors should contact the BBU Sec Gen for further information.
04 Apr 11 - THE BBU REGRETS TO ANNOUNCE THE DEATH OF THREE GREAT BIATHLON SUPPORTERS
Sgt Michael "Sugar" Kane died on 28 March. He served in the Queen's Own Hussars from 1973 - 1994. In recent years he was a familiar figure at Exercise Rucksack (the Army & British Championships) where he proudly supported his son, Bdr Kevin Kane 40 Regt RA, who has been a regular member of the World Cup team since 2006. Kevin missed the World Championships this year as he was on compassionate leave caring for his Father.
Leslie (Les) Connell who died in mid February had attended many World Cup races in the past decade with his son Ross. A familiar figure with his Union Jack hats and flags, the vocal support he and Ross gave the athletes was a real morale booster. It had been an ambition of Les to attend the World Champs in Khanty Mansiysk; alas, like Kevin, he did not achieve it.
LCpl Jonathan (Jon)
Gouldsmith was a serving soldier in 4 CS Bn REME and died this
weekend after a Road Traffic Accident in the UK. He was a member
of the National Development Squad in 2010 and competed at Exercise
Rucksack this year.
The Board, athletes, staff and members of the BBU extend our deepest sympathy to Kevin, Ross and to Jonathan's parents and to all their families and friends.
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