News - Season 2005 - 06
14 Mar 06 - WORLD CUP 8, EUROPEAN CUP 7
World Cup 8 begins in Kontiolahti FIN on Thu 16 Mar (Men & Women's Sprint) and European Cup 7 starts in Gurnigel SUI on the same day with the Sprints. We regret we can not give updates over the weekend, but full LIVE results are available from the IBU website.
Lee JACKSON is "Player Captain" of the World Cup Team, whilst Team Coach Jason SKLENAR will be in Switzerland running the thumb over the Juniors and "new" batch of European Cup athletes.
14 Mar 06 London ENG - SKANDIA, THE ARMY, JACKSON: THE BBU's PODIUM 1 - 2 - 3
Even if medals were not actually awarded yesterday in London, the BBU scored a perfect Podium 1 - 2 - 3 according to Lord Moynihan, Chairman of the British Olympic Association. Amidst the historic setting of London's Reform Club he told an audience of International sportsman, journalists, politicians, sports administrators and coaches, and leaders of business and finance of the BBU's success in becoming the first recipient of the new BOA "Better Business Partnership".
Under new President Colin Jackson CBE and the leadership of David Cranston (BBU) and Andre Oszmann (Skandia UK Group), together with the continued backing of the Army, he said that he the door had been opened for all the other 34 Olympic sports to join the Partnership. "Monday 13th March 2006 was an important day not just for Biathlon, but for all sport in the UK".
Lord Moynihan's remarks were contained in an Address to greet the President of the Athens 2004 Organising Committee for the Olympic Games, Gianna Angelopoulos-Daskalaki. She gave a most warmly received speech highlighting some of the problems and success of Athens and some gentle advice to London 2012. Not surprisingly, it would appear that much of the organising and success of any Games can be put down to the six "P's" - the old military adage that Prior Planning and Preparation Prevents Poor Performance. (Although in the Army weren't there seven "P's"? ...)
Photo below shows new BBU President Colin JACKSON with GBR Team Coach Sgt Jason SKLENAR 28 Engr Regt at the Olympic Winter Games in Turin / San Sicario. Click on the Skandia logo for much, much more information on out new partner and sponsor.
13 Mar 06 London ENG - SURVIVAL DAY FOR BRITISH BIATHLON: A NEW SPONSOR AND A NEW PRESIDENT
The BBU is delighted to announce two major initiatives that will go a long way towards ensuring the survival of the sport during the next Olympic cycle, leading up to Vancouver 2010.
The leading long term savings provider Skandia UK Group has become a partner and sponsor, as part of the brand new "BOA Better Business Partnership", which will be launched today. This links leading blue-chip companies with Olympic Governing Bodies of Sport.
On top of the new sponsorship deal the BBU is honoured to announce the appointment of World record holder Colin Jackson CBE as President. He takes over from Colin Moynihan, who is now Chairman of the British Olympic Association.
12 Mar 06 Pokljuka SLO - WORLD CUP ZEROS FOR GBR HOT SHOTS
The first zero shoot (0-0)of the season was recorded by Lance HODGKINS in the 10 km Sprint at WC 7 - the first World Cup post the Olympics on Thursday. Not to be outdone the feat was repeated 24 hours later by Adele WALKER in the women's race when both she and Emma FOWLER recorded their best results of the season, with Emma finishing 55th to qualify for her first Pursuit for over a year.
Results: Men 10 km Sprint Women 7.5 km Sprint Women Pursuit
Nations Cup - Men Nations Cup - Women
12 Mar 06 Martell ITA - EC 6 - MORE ATHLETES QUALIFY FOR WORLD CUP
Martell is a new venue for the GBR team, and will be the site of the 2007 Junior World Championships. It will be fondly remembered by Paul WHIBLEY and Simon ALLANSON who both achieved World Cup Qualifiers in the Sprint.
Results: Men 10 km Sprint Junior Men 10 km Sprint Euro Cup Total Score (Ind)
11 Mar 06 Langdorf GER - EUROPEAN CHAMPIONSHIPS ROUNDUP
The European Championships in Langdorf (near Zwiesel) GER ended last weekend with some encouraging results for the youthful and relatively inexperienced GBR team. Kevin KANE achieved a World Cup Qualifier in the 20 km Individual, whilst Adele WALKER qualified for her first international Pursuit. Rob CHUDLEY and Steve HILL made their International debuts, and none of the athletes finished last!
There was an unprecedented amount of snow (the heaviest for 100 years) in the Bayerische Wald - something not familiar to older skiers who "fondly" remember Zwiesel from the days when it hosted the British & Army Championships. Logistics and transport were not easy given the conditions but the Langdorf organisers coped admirably, and Bavarian TV seemed to have a soft spot for the GBR athletes, especially Kevin KANE!
RESULTS
Men: 20 km Ind 10 km Sprint 4 x 7.5 km Relay 15 km Junior Sprint Junior
Women: 15 km Ind 7.5 km Sprint 10 km Pursuit
23 Feb 06 - LEE JACKSON - CORPORAL TO CAPTAIN
The new GBR Team Captain and Athletes' Representative on the BBU Board is Lance Corporal Lee JACKSON 1 Green Howards. His first assignment will be at the European Championships in Langdorf (near Zwiesel) GER, 27 Feb - 05 Mar. Do not be confused if you see his name as Lee-Steve JACKSON on the IBU results page - this is all down to Bob Anderson (RMA Sports)!
23 Feb 06 - CLEMENS & WALKER RETIRE
GBR Team Captain for the past two seasons Marc WALKER and Olympian Tom CLEMENS have both announced their retirement from International Competition. Cpl Tom CLEMENS of the DDLI (formerly Devonshire & Dorset Regiment) will shortly be attending the APTC induction course with a view to joining that Corps. Marc WALKER, a member of 1 Logistic Support Regiment (formerly 1 GS Regt) Royal Logistic Corps has just been promoted to Sergeant - many congratulations! The downside for him is that he will get his sun tan this summer in Iraq!
Full career statistics for the two athletes, who will both be sorely missed by the National Team, will be published at the end of the Season, once our "office" returns to the UK.
23 Feb 06 - MINUTES OF 9th AGM
The full Minutes of the 9th Annual General Meeting of the British Biathlon Union are now available. PDF
21 Feb 06 - OLYMPIC ROUND UP
See Archive Page for Olympic Winter Games roundup
21 Feb 06 Olympic Winter Games - RELAY GOLD FOR GERMANY
GERMANY continued their fabulous Olympic form with victory in the 4 x 7.5 km Men's Relay today. Ricco GROSS (0-0), Michael ROSCH (0-0), Sven FISCHER (0-1), Michael GREIS (0-0) came home ahead of Russia by 20 seconds. France took Sweden in a photo-finish for the Bronze Medal when the Swede fell on the line. There was no GBR team.
16 Feb 06 Olympic Winter Games - EMMA'S SEASON'S BEST
Emma FOWLER saved her season's best race (16.87%) for the Olympic 7.5 km Sprint today, finishing 67th out of 83. Her shooting also returned to form (0-1), but she missed out on Saturday's Pursuit by just 20 seconds. France's Florence BAVEREL-ROBERT won by 2.4 secs from Anna Carin OLOFSSON SWE.
16 Feb 06 Olympic Winter Games - SILVER MEDALLIST FAILS DRUGS TEST
Russian biathlete Olga PYLEVA, who was second in the Women's Individual, has become the first competitor to fail a drugs test at the 2006 Winter Olympics. More from BBC Sport
Alexander Tikhonov, the head of Russia's biathlon federation, said Pyleva's positive test was the result of medication for a foot injury given by an unauthorised doctor in Russia.
"We warned them a thousand times and again - take only medical formulas that are in the team and come only to our doctors," said Tikhonov. "I have no idea where that doctor who treated Pyleva's foot injury came from."
15 Feb 06 Olympic Winter Games - SPRECHEN SIE DEUTSCH, EMMA?
Emma FOWLER will start tomorrow's Sprint in 26th place, sandwiched between two of the German favourites, Martina GLAGOW (Bronze Medal on Monday) and Kati WILHELM (the reigning Olympic Sprint Champion). Race starts at 11:00 GMT (12:00 CET).
15 Feb 06 Ruhpolding GER - RLC CHAMPIONSHIPS OPEN
There has been snow cover in Ruhpolding since 20 Nov 06, so what is this global warming? Ironically as roofs were being cleared, a warm and wet front is approaching Ruhpolding where the RLC Championships (Nordic & Alpine) opened today. All results are on the AWSA web page
14 Feb 06 Olympic Winter Games - FISCHER'S GOLDEN SPRINT
After Relay Golds in Lillehammer and Nagano, a Sprint and Relay Silver at Salt Lake and an Individual Bronze in Lillehammer, 34 year old Sven FISCHER GER hit gold today with a perfect 0-0 shoot to win the 10 km Sprint by 8 seconds. 36 year old Halvald HANEVOLD NOR was second ahead of team mate and relative youngster (32) Frode ANDRESEN. Fischer's victory was shared by his coach Marc KIRCHNER the last German to win the Olympic Sprint in Les Saisies 1992.
GBR's youthful Tom CLEMENS (30) could not repeat his good shooting from Saturday's race and finished 79th from 90 with a 2-2 shoot. Unfortunately that means he misses out on Saturday's Pursuit. Without a Relay team, this means that Tom's Turin Tour is all but over, so enjoy the rest of the Games!
13 Feb 06 Olympic Winter Games - THE A to B of BIATHLON: ANGUISH FOR FOWLER - BRONZE FOR GLAGOW
Emma FOWLER's Olympic debut ended in agony rather than a dream as she shot 0-3-1-3 to finish the 15 km Individual Biathlon in 79th place. Eurosport's Mike Dixon commented that she appeared nervous, so hopefully it will be "out of her system" before the Sprint on Thu 16 Feb. It was the opposite for Martina GLAGOW, daughter of the GBR Team ski technician Martin who took the Bronze Medal for Germany, missing only two targets.
13 Feb 06 Olympic Winter Games - FOWLER FIRST FOR GREAT BRITAIN
At 11:26 GMT (12:26 CET) today, Emma FOWLER will create Olympic history when she becomes the first British female biathlete to compete in the Olympic Winter Games. She starts at 52nd from a field of 82 in the 15 km Individual.
Emma, a Corporal in 1st Logistic Support Regiment Royal Logisitic Corps is also the first former pupil of Chiltern Trinity School in Cannington near Bridgwater to compete in the Olympics. Good luck and let us hope that Eurosport and the BBC mention her achievement!
11 Feb 06 Olympic Winter Games - GOLD FOR GERMANY'S GREIS
Michael GREIS of Germany took the first Biathlon Gold Medal of the Games with a 0-1-0-0 shoot in the 20 km Individual. His time of 54:23.0 was 16 seconds ahead of Ole-Einar BJOERNDALEN NOR (1-1-0-0) 1 min 08 secs ahead of Halvald HANEVOLD NOR (1-1-0-0). An hour later Germany won a second gold through Georg HETTICH in the Nordic Combination (Ski Jump & 15 km XC).
Team GB's Tom CLEMENS shot 0-1-1-2 to finish a very creditable 57th from 88 in a time of 1:01:43.9. (12.54%).
11 Feb 06 Turin ITA - THE GAMES OPEN!
A lengthy and at times bizarre Opening Ceremony heralded the start of the XX Olympic Winter Games in Turin last night. Gold Medal to Luciano Pavarotti; Silver to the athletes for endurance; Bronze to the Flag Waving Display. Did Not Start? Sophia Loren and the upside down leg display. Disqualified? The cows and the arial ballet. London 2012, please watch and learn!
10 Feb 06 Turin ITA - GOOD LUCK TOM & EMMA
We have received many good luck messages to Tom CLEMENS and Emma FOWLER who represent GBR in the XX Olympic Winter Games which open tonight in Turin. Naturally this website extends its own best of fortune message to them, and to the Support Staff of Jason SKLENAR (Coach / Manager) and Martin GLAGOW (Wax Technician).
Unfortunately neither athlete will be taking part in the Opening Ceremony tonight (19:00 GMT / 20:00 CET) due to the proximity of their own opening events. The Men's 20 km Individual is on Sat 11 Feb at 12:00 GMT and the Women's 15 km on Mon 13 Feb at 11:00 GMTC
BBC 2 (unfortunately Interactive & Freeview ONLY) and Eurosport have full LIVE coverage of all Biathlon in the first week. Tom CLEMENS starts 49th on Saturday.
09 Feb 06 RUHPOLDING GER - BRITISH CHAMPIONSHIPS FINAL Results
40 REGT RA WIN ARMY NORDIC & SAS CUP ... 1 LSR RLC TAKE THE MARINA ... RAF THE PATROL
A Protest by the RAF Team concerning holding times was upheld by the Race Jury and for the first time ever, and in Sqn Ldr Gordson SEATON'S final season the RAF won the Military Patrol Race by half a second!
40 Regt RA were Army Winners, with the RLC Ladies being the Ladies Winner. 2 RTR won the "best shots" prize. 1 LSR RLC won the Marina.
08 Feb 06 RUHPOLDING GER - GBR TEAM & NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT SQUAD SELECTION
The GBR teams for the European Championships and remaining World & European Cups were announced today. Marc WALKER from 1 LSR RLC bows out after the European Champs in Langdorf (Zweisel) and hands over as Team Captain to Lee JACKSON(1 Green Howards) for the last 3 World Cups. The National Development Squad was also announced, although details of their training programme remain subject to a resolution to our financial problems.
World & European Cup Teams National Development Squad
07 Feb 06 RUHPOLDING GER - 40's PERFECT ZERO
Flawless shooting (0-0 from all four racers) in the 4 x 7.5 km Biathlon Relay by the 40 Regt RA Team saw them home 5 minutes ahead of 1 LSR RLC, who also recorded four 0-0's. Remarkably no team did this in 2005. Such was the quality of 40 Regt RA that they finished some 20 minutes ahead of the 3rd and 4th teams - the RAF and 1 Green Howards.
The RLC Ladies won the women's race, ahead of RA ladies.
05 Feb 06 RUHPOLDING GER - A PERFECT BIATHLON WEEKEND!
The "Biathlon Weekend" has become a tradition at the British Championships, and this year was no exception. Only a rather cold -12°C at the start of Sunday's racing detracted from an excellent weekend, which started with the floodlit Sandhurst Insurance BBU Super Sprint on Fri 02 Feb.
Saturday saw a field of almost 200 athletes compete in the Sprint Events, whilst 5 Mass Start Races were held on the Sunday. Not surprisingly, GBR World Cup athletes were to the fore in all the Senior events. A number of civilian and military VIPs and attended the weekend which also featured the AGM of the BBU.
At the AGM Lord (Colin) Moynihan retired as President after 9 years in the post. His contribution has been immense, and as the new Chairman of the British Olympic Association he will not be lost to the BBU! We wish him and all members of Team GB every success at the Olympic Winter Games in Turin.
Jeremy Hopwood was re-elected as a Director with an 86% vote in favour, albeit with Brig Andy Cowling stepping down there are now 2 vacancies on the Board. The Audited Accounts were accepted and the Chairman reminded the Meeting of the gravity of the possible financial meltdown. However in his farewell address Colin Moynihan gave us all a little bit of light for the finances of winter (and summer sports) in the London 2012 tunnel! Full minutes of the AGM will be published here shortly.
The Nordic Team Combinations show 40 Regt RA with a one point lead over 1 LSR RLC. In the Marina 1 LSR RLC have a clear lead over 28 Engr Regt. Watch this space for the Relay on Tue 07 Feb!
02 Feb 06 RUHPOLDING GER - NEW CHAMPIONS CROWNED IN BRITISH BIATHLON CHAMPS
5 new Champions will see their names engraved on the "Blue Ribbon" Individual Trophies after the opening day of the 2006 British National and Army Championships.
Champions are LBdr Lance HODGKINS 40 Regt RA (Men), Sgt Si BURKE 1 LSR RLC (Veteran Men), Gnr Steve HILL 3 RHA (Junior Men), Spr Mark SCHROEDER 28 Engr Regt (Youth Men) and Sac Dave WYTHE RAF (Senior Novice Men). Cpl Adele WALKER 29 Regt RLC took the Women's event that she last won in 2003.
01 Feb 06 RUHPOLDING GER - BRITISH XC CHAMPS FINISH
Excellent snow and crisp sunny weather was the order of the day throughout the British Cross Country Championships which ended with a double for Marc & Adele WALKER in the Skiworld Super 16 last night. Other highlights of the week were victory for London Region Nordic Ski Club's Alan EASON in the Men's 15 km and a start of a fascinating duel between 40 Regt RA and 1 LSR RLC. Full Results to date
Biathlon commences Thu 02 Feb with the 20 / 15 and 12.5 km Individual Races.
A daily photo record is now on display in the Results page!
28 Jan 06 RUHPOLDING GER - THRILLING INTRO TO BRITISH CHAMPIONSHIPS
The British & Army Cross Country Championships opened today in Ruhpolding and Biathlon commences next Thursday, 2nd January. Following 3 photo-finishes on the same tracks in the Biathlon World Cup just 2 weeks, there was almost a repeat when 1 LSR RLC (formerly 1 GS Regt RLC) won the 15 km team event by less than 3 seconds from 40 Fd Regt RA.
RA Ladies won the Ladies 10 km whilst Senior Individual Honours went to Alan Eason of London Region Nordic Ski Club and Capt Tania Oakes of Oxford UOTC.
Full Results and Race Programme
26 Jan 06 CANBERRA AUS - AUSTRALIA DAY HONOUR FOR BOB CRANAGE
Congratulations go to Bob Cranage, a long time supporter of the British Championships for his award of the Order of Australia Medal. The Award, which is roughly the equivalent of a British OBE / MBE was announced today, Australia Day, and is for "Service to the sports of cross-country skiing and biathlon as a coach and administrator."
Bob is currently in Ruhpolding, so we expect to share the odd glass and remind him about the Ashes last summer!
25 Jan 06 RUHPOLDING GER - BRITISH CHAMPIONSHIPS OPEN
Athletes and Army Teams, who qualified for the British Championships (Ex Rucksack), starting arriving in Ruhpolding GER today. The first race is the British National, Inter Service and Army 15 km (Men); 10 km (Ladies) and 5 km (Boys & Girls) Cross Country on Sat 28 Jan. Results will be published here.
Qualifying Teams (Div Championships)
25 Jan 06 - LONDON Eng - BOA SELECTS BIATHLETES FOR TURIN
The British Olympic Association today announced the Team GB selection for the XX Olympic Winter Games (OWG) in Turin, 12 - 26 Feb 06. As expected two biathletes have been selected; both will be making their Olympic début.
Congratulations thus go to Tom CLEMENS who narrowly failed selection in 2002, and Emma FOWLER who also missed out four years ago. Emma FOWLER will be the first women to represent GBR in Olympic Biathlon. Both athletes are in the Army and are currently at the BOA / BBU Holding Camp in Antholz ITA.
It is a great birthday present for Tom Clemens from Weymouth, will be 30 on Mon 30 Jan and is is a Corporal in the The Devonshire & Dorset Light Infantry, who recently returned to Catterick Garrison after a 2 year tour in Northern Ireland. He joined the Army in 1994 having attended Thomas Hardye School in Dorchester. Emma Fowler from 1 Logistic Support Regiment Royal Logistic Corps, based in Gutersloh Germany, served in the Iraq War in 2003 and lives in Cannington Somerset. She is 26 and attended Chiltern Trinity School in Cannington and joined the Army in 1995. Full career profiles and results to follow shortly!
In Turin they will be joined by Team Manager & Coach Jason SKLENAR and Wax Technician Martin GLAGOW. It will be Sklenar's third OWG (2 as an athlete) and the second for Glagow. Sklenar is a serving Sergeant in 28 Engineer Regiment, whilst Glagow is a retired German Army Lieutenant Colonel, and the father of Martina Glagow, winner of the last World Cup race before Turin, who will be representing Germany at The Games.
22 Jan 06 SALZBURG AUT - IBU VICE PRESIDENT ZWATZ DIES
It is with deep regret that we announce the death, after a short illness, on Sunday 22nd January of Dr. Günther ZWATZ the IBU Vice President for Finances. He had held the post since the formation of the IBU in 1993 and before that held a similar post with the UIPMB. Günther Zwatch was a true friend of the International "Biathlon Family" and a great supporter of the smaller Nations, such as GBR.
Mark GOODSON BBU Secretary General and Eddy Lowe Performance Director, who are currently in Ruhpolding, will represent the BBU at the Funeral on Thu 26 Jan.
21 Jan 06 ANTHOLZ ITA - SPRINT FINISH TO TURIN SELECTION
The final two Sprints before the Olympic Winter Games saw no British athlete improve their overall position or gain extra Olympic qualifiers. In excellent snow and weather conditions, Tom CLEMENS (1-2), Lee JACKSON (2-3) and Emma FOWLER (1-1) all turned in a reasonable, if unspectacular, result.
The BBU has nominated their athletes for Turin and the BOA is expected to announce the GBR Biathlon Team on Tue 24 or Wed 25 Jan. Those athletes not going to The Games will be competing at the British Championships which start in Ruhpolding GER on Sat 28 Jan with the 15 km Cross Country.
Results: Men Sprint Men Nations' Cup Women Sprint Women Nations' Cup
21 Jan 06 RIDNAUN ITA - EC 5 COMES TO ALTO ALDIGE
Marc WALKER (0-2-2-2) returned to something like his best skiing form to finish 30th in the European Cup 20 km Individual in Ridnaun. Lance HODGKINS and Paul WHIBLEY found the conditions very severe, but both closed the gap on Walker in the Sprint. Ridnaun (Val Ridanna) is probably unknown to most readers, but sits just over the Brenner Pass near Sterzing / Vipiteno in the Italian Trentino Province of German speaking Sud Tirol (Alto Aldige).
Results: Individual Sprint
18 Jan 06 Ruhpolding GER - WALKER'S OLYMPIC DREAM ENDS
Following the Men's Sprint in Ruhpolding the GBR Selectors were left with a difficult decision in deciding which one the three athletes all now in the running for Olympic selection would not start in the WC 6 Sprint at Antholz ITA on Thu 19 Jan. In a statement issued today. Chairman of Selectors Eddy Lowe said:
"After very careful and detailed consideration the Selection Committee has come to the unanimous decision that Tom CLEMENS and Lee JACKSON will fill the two GBR start places at WC 6. This is a tremendous blow for the Olympic aspirations of Marc WALKER who bizarrely made his International senior level début at the World Championships in 2000, having been in the European Cup team since 1996. He has been an ever present member of the World Cup Team for the past 4 seasons and an excellent Team Captain for the past two.
With only two athletes able to start in Antholz, it is the duty of the BBU to allow the two in form athletes to compete against each other for a final time, before we nominate one of them to the BOA for selection to represent GBR in Turin. Clemens already has two Olympic Qualifying Standards (OQS) with Jackson and Walker both on one. However Clemens and Jackson are very close in performance to each other, whilst unfortunately Marc Walker's form has tailed off since the opening World Cup of the season.
'Three into Two' simply does not fit and whilst it is regrettable that any athlete should not have the chance to achieve his ultimate sporting goal, it is also sad that one of the remaining two will be placed in the same position as Marc Walker in a few days, once Olympic selection is made."
Following nomination by the BBU, the BOA is expected to announce selection for a maximum of of one man and woman to represent GBR in the XX Olympic Winter Games in Turin (10 - 26 Feb 06), on or by Wed 25 Jan 06.
18 Jan 06 Ridnaun ITA - EUROPEAN CUP RESUMES IN ITALY
GBR athletes return to the European Cup circuit for the first time since Christmas, after missing last week's racing in Altenberg GER. World Cup athletes Marc WALKER and Lance HODGKINS will be joined by Paul WHIBLEY for the 20 km Individual on Thu 19 Jan and the Sprint on Fri 20 Jan at EC 5 in Ridnaun ITA.
Results from EC 5 (and WC 6) are LIVE on the IBU webpage: www.biathlonworld.com
16 Jan 06 Ruhpolding GER - JACKSON GAINS QUALIFIER
Lee JACKSON (1-1) had his best result of the season and achieved his first Olympic Qualifier when finishing the WC 5 Sprint in 75th place in 9.78%. This was the third consecutive time this season that Jackson has posted the best GBR result in the sprint and, marginally, confirms him as the fastest athlete in the Team. Tom CLEMENS (0-1) was not far behind in 89th, and his 11.75% confirmed his progressive improvement. Result
In the Women's race Emma FOWLER (0-2) finished 92nd and Adele WALKER (1-2) 95th.
Ruhpolding again provided fantastic racing for another record crowd. In the coldest January for 20 years an overall crowd of 75,000 (with 19,000 in the Stadium on the final day) saw 3 photo-finishes. Germany were involved in all three, and lost two of them by 1/10th of a second. More
16 Jan 06 WORLD CUP ROUND UP
The webmaster has found a semi permanent home again, so we are able to bring you an update of missing results from Oberhopf (WC 4) and Ruhpolding (WC 6).
Ruhpolding - Men: Sprint Relay Nations Cup Women: Sprint Nations Cup
Oberhof - Men: Sprint Women: Sprint
04 Jan 06 Oberhof GER - DISAPPOINTING RELAY START TO NEW YEAR
The Relay team never recovered from a poor start in the the fog and finished last in front of a packed crowd at Oberhof this evening.
03 Jan 06 Oberhof GER - WORLD CUP DEBUT FOR ROYAL AIR FORCE
Carl CARRIER will become the first ever member of the Royal Air Force to represent Great Britain in a Biathlon World Cup, in the Oberhof Relay tomorrow Wed 04 Jan. He replaces Lance HODGKINS who has not recovered fully from a bug picked up over Christmas. Coach Jason SKLENAR spent his break in Spain, where there must have been a lot of Rain on the Plain, as he also has a bug and is confined to bed with a severe cold.
The Relay starting order is Lee JACKSON - Marc WALKER - Tom CLEMENS - Carl CARRIER. In the Men's Sprint on Fri 06 Jan the two GBR starters, subject to injury, will be JACKSON & WALKER.
02 Jan 06 - BEHIND THE BBU: "FINANCIAL MELTDOWN"
If money is the root of all evil, it is also the root of most biathlon success. No matter how talented and dedicated the athletes and their support staff are, if the bank balance is poor, results will tend to be much the same.
Since the 1998 Olympics the BBU has managed to “get along” on an income of around £ 52,000 per year. This does not include contributions from the athletes or their (Army) Units & family, or some fluctuating and irregular income. The IBU effectively pays for 2 women and 2 men to compete at World Cups circuit, but not for their travel or the extra 2 men in the relay or any support staff. This £ 52 K has to pay for that and all the office and administrative activities; the Waxman; on-snow training in Scandinavia; the Coach’s expenses; travel to Meetings (BOA, IBU & UK Sport etc); Development courses; professional and legal fees etc. The budget is presented annually at the AGM in Ruhpolding and the audited accounts have to be passed by the Members.
£ 52 K is simply not enough to run a National Olympic sport properly. With 5 times that amount we would have a very realistic chance of a podium place at the Olympic Winter Games in 2014. Two or three times that amount would almost certainly guarantee a return to the World Top 20 in one season. Why? Because the BBU could employ more coaching and support staff; have a far more rigorous selection and training procedure; provide a sensible amount of admin and back office support.
AFTER THE TURIN OLYMPICS (FEBRUARY 2006), THE BBU INCOME WILL BE REDUCED TO £ 10,000 PER YEAR.
This is due to the withdrawal of special funding from the Army and the BOA / UK Sport “Olympic Solidarity Development Funding” (OSDF). For a number of years the BBU were aware that the Army contribution was not guaranteed and we can only express deep gratitude that they kept the Army athletes “afloat” for the past 3 Olympic cycles. Fortunately the Army will still support their athletes in a number of other ways, not least by releasing them for training and competition. The OSDF money was cut from £ 22 K for Salt Lake City to £ 17.5 K for Turin. It was a joint venture from the BOA and UK Sport which went to the 16 non Lottery Funded Olympic Sports in the UK. 2 years ago UK Sport withdrew their share of the grant and the BOA has alone and generously, continued to fulfil the promise of support for Turin. After Turin this grant will be spent on “deserving” summer sports for London 2012. (Good luck to them; the ball is now in their court ... Beach Volleyball … Handball … Softball …)
Non Lottery Funded - “You must be joking?”, we hear you say. No, it is true. Unless a sport has a genuine medal chance or huge TV profile, forget it – Sport England has; they do not even recognise Biathlon as a sport (never mind our Olympic presence at every Games since 1960!).
London 2012? Given the vast reduction in income, it must be very doubtful whether Biathlon will still be an International sport in Great Britain by 2012.
An income of £ 10 K will just about cover unavoidable legal, medical and professional fees; insurance; and some basic expenses of the coach. It will not cover:
- any other support staff (including the essential Waxman)
- any administrative or office costs
- any athlete training and travel expenses
- any Junior & European Cup Team costs
- any Development Courses
“Get some sponsors” you may say. The BBU has spent much of the past 8 years seeking sponsorship. Sadly to almost no avail, there is just not enough media coverage of the sport in the UK to interest them. We have attempted to secure public and private funding with no success. Can YOU help us find a source of new income? Unfortunately, although every Pound helps, it is not “a few hundred” but “several thousand” that we need.
If the finances of the BBU do not radically and rapidly improve in the next few months, it looks as though the Olympic Winter Games in Turin will be the last Olympics for British Biathlon. THE END OF A DREAM … THE END OF A SPORT … CAN YOU STOP THE END?
02 Jan 06 Oberhof GER - WORLD CUP NEW YEAR IN GERMANY
The first of the new "Golden Classics" on the Biathlon World Cup circuit gets underway on Wed 04 Jan with the WC 4 at Oberhof Men's Relay at 1620 GMT. All races will be LIVE on British Eurosport - click for schedules.
All races at WC 5 in Ruhpolding GER (11 - 15 Jan) will also be LIVE on British Eurosport. The schedules for Antholz ITA (WC 6 - the last before Turin) are not yet published.
On a German theme, many congratulations to Uschi DISL on being voted German Sportswoman of the year 2005. The first time a biathlete has been so honoured.
02 Jan 06 - 39 STEPS - 40 DAYS TO TURIN
There are just 39 days to the Opening Ceremony of the 20th Olympic Winter Games in Turin Italy, and just one day more to the first Biathlon race - the Men's 20 km Individual.
There are just 3 more guaranteed races for the GBR Men and Women to qualify for nomination to the BOA, who will confirm selection on 24 Jan 06. The races prior to 21 Jan, which is the last date for qualification, are the three World Cup Sprints (Oberhof, Ruhpolding , Antholz). with the faint possibility of two pursuits also being considered.
With only 2 start places per WC race the competition between the men in particular is hotting up. GBR Selection Policy gave Tom CLEMENS who has two OQS, and is thus in pole position, and Marc WALKER who has one, a guaranteed start place for all races in WC1 & 2. From WC 3 the normal rotational system came into effect, and barring injury or illness we would expect to see the fastest man of the season (Lee JACKSON) maintain his start place in the Oberhof Sprint, with one of the others standing down. The Olympic door is thus just ajar for JACKSON and WALKER, with an improving Lance HODGKINS catching up rapidly.
Emma FOWLER has not added to her four OQS of last season and with Adele WALKER in the form of her life, selection of the first ever British female biathlete is also no formality.
02 Jan 06 - NEW WADA LIST
Athletes and support staff at all levels, are reminded that the new World Anti Doping Agency List (WADA List) came into effect on 01 Jan 06.
As always, the onus is on the athlete and the punishments for failing a test are severe. IGNORANCE IS NOT AN EXCUSE!
31 Dec 05 - NEW YEAR HONOURS
Unlike the last Birthday Honours List, Biathlon does not directly feature in the New Year Honours List published today. However we congratulate those with a particular interest in the sport:
From the BOA Craig REEDIE CBE lately Chairman receives a Knighthood. Simon CLEGG OBE Chief Executive and former Manager of the GBR Biathlon Team is appointed CBE, as is former General Secretary Dick PALMER OBE. John RITBLAT Chairman British Land plc and a long term sponsor of the BSSF is Knighted. One time Team Captain of the QRIH Biathlon Team, Major David MADDEN QRH receives the MBE.
18 Dec 05 Brezno-Osrblie SVK - GBR CONNECTS WITH CHAMPIONS
Congratulations to Germany with another 1-2-3-4 in the Men's Pursuit today and Sweden's Anna Carin Olofsson winner of the Women's Pursuit to follow her Saturday Sprint success. Why the GBR connection? Well, the GBR Team trains alongside the Swedes in Ruhpolding, home of the German team, and to be realistic it is the nearest we shall get to the World Cup Podium for a while!
17 Dec 05 Brezno-Osrblie SVK - ADELE ACES EMMA
For only the second time in her career, Adele WALKER today beat Emma FOWLER in a World Cup race. Recording a personal best of 19.97% she shot 1-1 to finish 91st in the Slovakian Sprint at WC 3. Emma finished a most disappointing week in 97th (4-3).
A BBC 1 Film crew was present during the World Cup, and will feature Biathlon in their "Road to Turin" programme to be shown in the New Year. Scheduling details when we have them!
Results: Sprint Nations Cup
17 Dec 05 Windischgarsten-Rosenau AUT - LANCE LEADS INTO EURO PURSUIT
Lance HODGKINS continued his good run of World Cup relay form by becoming the first GBR athlete this season to make the cut for a Pursuit. In the EC 3 Sprint in Rosenau he finished 43rd (0-2), ahead of Carl CARRIER (69th); Kevin Kane (73rd) and Paul Whibley (77th). Although these 3 all failed to record a World Cup qualifier (see "Percentages" below), Kane and Whibley are closing the gap on the more experienced Carrier.
Hodgkins dropped 3 places in the Pursuit today (1-0-3-0), and together with the other GBR World & European Cup athletes now moves to Ruhpolding for a Christmas training period, prior to the next World Cup in Oberhof GER on Wed 04 Jan 06.
16 Dec 05 Osrblie SVK - JACKSON TARGETS TURIN
Lee JACKSON (1-1) finished in a season's best 78th place in the WC 3 Sprint this afternoon - 7 places ahead of Tom CLEMENS (0-3). Together they also gave GBR the best Nations Cup points of the season, outside a relay. Jackson's percentage was 11.16 and although outside the Olympic Qualifier mark of 10%, was the second best of the season behind Clemens, who recorded his own second best with 12.43%.
Although the top Norwegians were missing, Germany posted a remarkable result finishing 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th and had two more in the Top 20!
Results: Sprint Nations Cup
16 Dec 05 Osrblie SVK - JACKSON STARTS IN SPRINT
Lee Jackson will replace Marc WALKER by joining Tom CLEMENS in the stating line up for the final Sprint of 2005 in Osrblie today. Jackson has shown good form in training and in the two WC Relays to date.
Jackson's selection is consistent with the BBU Selection Policy whereby both Walker and Clemens were guaranteed start places (subject to fitness etc) for WC 1 & 2. This was on the basis that they had both already achieved one OQS (see above item) in the 2004 - 05 season. Walker has so far not repeated his good form of last season, although Clemens now has the minimum of 2.
15 Dec 05 Osrblie SVK - CLOUDY PERFORMANCE IN SLOVAKIA
The weather was cloudy and the below freezing temperature did not suit the GBR athletes in the Individual races at Osrblie today. Marc WALKER had his worst race for 2 seasons and Emma FOWLER never recovered from an appalling start on the range. Fortunately Tom CLEMENS held his nerve and combined his good shooting form (75% hits this season) with a fast course time to finish 82nd. Results:
Men: Indiv Nations Cup Women: Indiv Nations Cup
14 Dec 05 Hochfilzen AUT
HOCHFILZEN HIGH FOR GBR
The best GBR relay result for 2 seasons saw the GBR Relay team finish 20th from 22 starters. Only one target was missed.
Keen eyed readers will note that the Nations Cup points do not reflect the 21st place GBR achieved in WC 1. The IBU Technical Committee has accepted a GBR Protest and once the Executive Board confirms this in January, the points will be backdated. However, GBR will still be in 22nd place overall.
14 Dec 05 Hochfilzen AUT
MIXED WC RESULTS IN AUSTRIA
Apart from during the Women's 15 km, the weather and snow in Hochfilzen was excellent - more reminiscent of early March rather than early December. We hope you enjoyed the excellent TV coverage.
Emma FOWLER improved race by race, although Marc WALKER unfortunately went the opposite way. Tom CLEMENS and Adele WALKER yo-yoed up and down the results table. Results:
Men: Indiv Sprint Nations Cup
Women: Indiv Sprint Nations Cup
11 Dec 05 Obertilliach AUT - SHOOTING STIFLES EURO DUO
Relatively poor shooting by both Kevin KANE (90th) and Paul WHIBLEY (96th) dashed their hopes of selection for the Pursuit and of achieving a World Cup qualification. They, together with Carl CARRIER and Lance HODGKINS will next race in the Sprint at EC 3 on Fri 16 Dec in Windischgarsten-Rosenau AUT.
04 Dec 05 Obertilliach AUT - DELAYED EUROPEAN CUP DEBUT
Kevin KANE and Paul WHIBLEY made promising starts to their International racing careers in the much delayed opening European Cup of the new season. Although neither achieved a World Cup Qualifier, this was only to be expected in their first International race after a very limited time training on snow.
Lance HODGKINS rounded off a memorable week after his World Cup debut in Östersund four days earlier with two WC qualifiers whilst Carl CARRIER had one. Results: Individual Sprint
29 Nov 05 Östersund SWE- WC 1 RELAY RESULT
Norway won the first Relay of the World Cup season; unfortunately GBR were at the opposite end of the results table. However, percentage-wise it was better than most of last season. Lee JACKSON confirmed his promising training from to record the fastest British time. Results
26 Nov 05 Östersund SWE- WORLD CUP SEASON FINALLY UNDER WAY
Artificial snow and swirling winds made conditions difficult in the opening Sprint races of the new E.on Ruhrgas Biathlon World Cup season.
The Men's race was won by Norway's Stian Eckhoff, who repeated his victory here of last season. Raphael Poiree FRA was second. Most of the top German men did not race, preferring to train on the abundant snow that has now fallen in Ruhpolding. However their women were there in force with World Champion Uschi Disl recording the 30th victory of her career. Another athlete to like Östersund was runner up Tadeja Brankovic SLO who went one better tha her 3rd place last season.
26 Nov 05 Östersund SWE - OLYMPIC QUALIFIER FOR CLEMENS
Tom CLEMENS recorded an Olympic Qualifying Standard (OQS) percentage of 9.77% when finishing 83rd in the Sprint at WC 1 today. Marc WALKER was 99th with 12.73%
This is the best opening result for GBR for some seasons, and gives Clemens his second of a minimum of two OQS.
26 Nov 05 Östersund SWE - SHOOTING LETS GBR WOMEN DOWN
Emma FOWLER recorded the fastest shooting time of the race, but missed 4 targets in what proved to be a disappointing start to her season, when she finished WC 1 Sprint in 100th place.
After the first shoot (1 pen) Adele WALKER (née Turner) was ahead of Emma. Alas she then missed 4 on her second shoot, finally finishing 105th. Results Nations Cup
25 Nov 05 - EUROPEAN CUP DEBUT FOR NEW ATHLETES
Following a special selection race in Idre SWE today, LBdr Kevin KANE 40 Regt RA and LCpl Paul WHIBLEY 28 Engr Regt have been selected for the GBR European Cup Biathlon Team for the first time. The selection is for the first two ECs to be held in Obertilliach AUT.
Carl CARRIER and Lance HODGKINS from the WC team will also race in EC 1 and, subject to fitness, they will all be joined by Bdr Shane Clash 40 Regt RA.
19 Nov 05 - GBR WORLD CUP TEAM SELECTED
Following selection races in Kiruna SWE, the following athletes have been selected to represent GBR in World Cups 1 & 2:
Women
16 Nov 05 - WADA - DRUGS & DOPING LATEST
The World Anti Doping Agency (WADA) List for 2006, the Summary of Major Changes and the Q & A on Therapeutic Use Exemption are all now available as a PDF download. More
As always, the onus is on the athlete and the punishments for failing a test are severe. IGNORANCE IS NOT AN EXCUSE!
02 Nov 05 - 100 DAYS TO TURIN
There are just 100 days to go before the start of the Olympic Winter Games in Turin on 12 Feb 06, and 101 days before the first race (Men's 20 km Individual). Barring injury or illness, Emma FOWLER should be the first British female to be selected for Olympic Biathlon. Tom CLEMENS and Marc WALKER are expected to battle it out for the single man's slot. Selection for Men and Women will not be made by the BOA until 23 Jan 06. Ticketing Info
28 Sep 05 - EHIC - The European Health Insurance Card
The familiar E111 for European Health Insurance will be no longer valid after 31 Dec 05, and will be replaced by EHIC. If you received the current new style E 111 in the past year you may have asked for automatic issue of the EHIC, issues of which started in August. If not, visit www.dh.gov.uk/travellers (there is an on line pro-forma), phone (UK) 0845 606 2030 or pick up the EHIC application form from your local UK or BFPO Post Office.
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