News

Tomorrow (23 Oct) marks the 12th Anniversary of the incorporation of the BBU in 1996. The immediate aim of the original Board and GBR biathlon supporters was to ensure that, following the withdrawal of Core funding for the sport, we would be able to field a team at the Nagano Olympic Winter Games in 1998. We succeeded with that aim and although there is still no Core funding, we are still here!

The BBU recently hosted the Autumn Meeting of the IBU Information Committee in London. The Members from GER, HUN, SUI, SVK and USA were welcomed to Skandia's London HQ in Old Mutual Place by BBU Chairman David Cranston, and by fellow Committee Member Mark Goodson, the BBU Sec Gen.

Although the IBU was formed at London Heathrow on 02 Jul 1993 this was the first time an IBU Committee had met in the UK.

The GBR Selection Races for the forthcoming World Cup and IBU (previously European Cup) season will be held in Sweden - snow permitting in Kiruna between 21 - 24 Nov 08. The exact format of the races will also be snow dependant and will be announced here as soon as possible.

GBR National Squad athletes are effectively fully funded for these races and it is possible that we shall be able to help selected members of the NDS. All other British passport holders who wish to be race and be considered for selection do so at their own expense. National Squad and NDS athletes will be automatically entered; all others are to inform the Sec Gen BBU of their intention to compete.

Not content with the BBU / BOA Award (above) we are delighted to congratulate Adele WALKER on her promotion to Sergeant and, in a unique family double that of her husband and GBR Assistant Coach Marc to Staff Sergeant. Could be quite a night in Liverpool on 14 December?!

Many congratulations to athlete Paul WHIBLEY on his recent marriage to Sarah, and to former athletes Mark GEE and Carl CARRIER who have both added to the BBU baby boom with a new daughter.

BBU Development Director, Bill LAURENCE has become the first GBR rep on the IBU Court of Arbitration. He is one of the "non legal" arbitrators and with his linguistic skills should be able to make a sound contribution. The Court is the final IBU body of Arbitration and Complaint; it sits as when required - perhaps 3 times in a month or once in 3 years!

It is with deep regret that we announce the death of Barry ("Hoppy") Hopkins on Friday 22nd August 2008.

Hoppy had an extraordinary career in the Australian Armed Forces and served as a Biathlon Coach to the Army, Air Force and Australian Biathlon Association. However it is as a long term supporter of British Biathlon that he was best known to the UK and British Army Biathlon Family.

For over a decade he, and partner Tina Willmett, were regular attendees at the British Championships where he spent many long cold hours spotting on the range and photographing countless hundreds of athletes. For many years he was an assistant coach at the East Grange Biathlon Centre for the autumn courses, and also at the Infantry Championships in Norway. He made many friends in the British Championship venues of Ruhpolding and Obertilliach.

His enthusiasm for Biathlon and the support he gave to young biathletes was matched only by his generosity and legendary gifts of the best Australian reds and was as infectious as the courage he showed fighting a long battle with leukaemia. We extend our profound condolences to his family and friends in the military and sporting worlds and to Tina.

Hoppy, we will all miss you; you were a true friend and "Coach to the Guns".

Our favourite German Biathlete, Martina GLAGOW - daughter of GBR Wax Technician Martin - was married on 26 July and is now Martina BECK. We wish her and Günther as much success in married life as she has enjoyed in her Biathlon life. Full Story

As is customary, the BBU has sent a good luck message to all the Athletes and Support Staff from Team GB on the opening of the XXIX Olympic Games in Beijing. We have been told it shares a notice board with similar messages from The Queen and Prime Minister!

Athletes Simon ALLANSON, Rob CHUDLEY, Marcel LAPONDER, Amanda LIGHTFOOT and coaches Walter PICHLER and Jason SKLENAR together with their wives, sailed in blustery conditions today in the final Skandia Cowes Week. A great time was had by all, and many thanks go to Skandia for making it all happen.

After a day in the High Court, the British Olympic Association's life-time ban on convicted drugs cheats was upheld in the case of sprinter Dwain Chambers (who received a 2 year ban in 2004 after taking 7 different drugs). The immediate past and current Presidents of the BBU made statements, which are completely backed by the Board and athletes of the BBU.

"We are respectful of the Court’s decision in all aspects. The British Olympic Association (BOA) has rules which are not only recognised and understood by all Olympic athletes, but our Bye-law has been in place for 16 years at their request and for their benefit.

I have to say that it is a matter of regret that Dwain Chambers – an athlete with such undoubted talent, a winner of the European Youth Olympic Festival 100m as a young man - should by his own actions have put himself out of the running to shine on the Olympic stage in Beijing.

However, on behalf of the athletes the BOA will continue to send a powerful and important message that nobody found guilty of serious drug cheating offences should have the honour of wearing a Team GB vest at the Olympic Games.

The Court’s decision allows us now to focus on and support those athletes who will be travelling to the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games to represent Team GB in just 21 days time. We must now focus on their interests."

Comment by Colin Jackson CBE, former World Champion 110m hurdles and World record holder & President BBU

"I'm really happy Dwain has lost his appeal . This is more about a principle than anything else and the decision has sent out a clear message that we are not going to accept people in our team who have committed offences such as this. Dwain, get on with your life, whatever that might be - we don't want you in our team."

The BBU fully supports and enforces the strict anti-doping policies of UK Sport, the BOA and the IBU, and will be publishing and implementing the 2009 WADA Anti-Doping Code in due course.

The Board and some athletes attended a most enlightening Strategy Day last week in Southampton. Hosted by Skandia and superbly run by David Pearl and Denis Burke from David Pearl Associates one of the main aims was to develop a "Vision to 2018"; before then we just have the small matter of Vancouver 2010 and Sochi 2014. Incidentally, Munich is, so far, the only declared candidate for 2018.

Congratulations to Simon ALLANSON & Kevin KANE in getting their promotion to Bombardier and to Pete BEYER who gained his first stripe and is now a Lance Corporal.

CONGRATULATIONS to athlete Paul WHIBLEY & Sarah on the recent birth of Kai Daniel and also to the manager Liz WINFIELD & Chris on the birth of Olivia.

Nicola WALKER has now raised £ 13,900 + a further £ 1500 earmarked for the Erskine Homes. Persistent knee pain over the last 3 days became so acute after 40 miles on Day 6 that Nicky was forced to accept a lift from backup man Bill Laurence. Due to this Nicky was further forced to have a rest day as the pain in her knee could results in permanent damage. The Ride was continued by Nicky's support riders.

She arrived in Nice after giving her knee some rest, ready to do the Ironman a few days later. Nicky started the Ironman and completed the swim without getting stung by jelly fish in 1 hour 25 mins. She then started the bike stage where she had to travel 145km, unfortunately she only made 115km and was forced to pull out as she had missed the cut-off time check and had to hand her race bib in.

We, the BBU and all our supporters would like to give a great big thanks to Nicky in her enormous efforts in riding the massive distance to Nice and giving the Ironman a shot. We hope to see you out in Obertilliach this winter season for the British Championships.

Although the IBU will not vote on the choice of venue for the 2012 & 2013 Biathlon World Championships until 06 Sep 08 at the Congress in Prague, the FIS Congress in Cape Town last week voted Val di Femme ITA as their choice for the 2013 World Cross Country Championships. Of more interest to some of our younger biathletes and Cross Country athletes was the selection of Chamonix/Pras de Lys FRA to host the 2009 World Junior Cross Country Championships.

In Athens last week the IOC selected four "Candidature Cities" to host the 2016 Olympic Games: Chicago USA, Tokyo JPN, Rio de Janeiro BRA, and Madrid SPA. Election for the host city will be in October 2009. One year later the host of the 2018 Olympic Winter Games will be elected although the candidature process does not begin until summer 2009. However, it is no secret that Munich GER hopes to become the first city to host both summer and winter Games. Their venue for biathlon is not yet known!

Less than a week until Nicola WALKER starts her great cycle ride from London to Nice, followed by the Ironman Triathlon. So far she has raised £ 8539 in sponsorship for three great causes:

In addition an extra £ 1000 has been earmarked for the Erskine Homes. BUT ... if every member of the BBU Facebook or our Emailing list was to contribute just £ 20, that would bring in another £ 6000 - shared between the 3 great causes! Check out Nicky's donation page (and Gift Aid, if you can)

As a reminder there will be up-to-date route map on www.nice-tri-nicky.co.uk and a blog page that Nicky is going to update every day after the days cycle ride. Moreover, Minty from Eastenders has undertaken to drive the support bus - Minty? Well, actually it's Bill Laurence from the BBU in one of his various guises.

In accordance with a decision taken at the 63rd Board Meeting of the BBU held on 28 Jan 08 and announced the same day at the 11th AGM of the BBU held in Obertilliach, the Board of the BBU invites applications from any individual or organisation who wish to tender for BBU Development Training for the summer 2009 & 2010.

Normally the BBU annually trains approx 20 athletes, mainly novice and junior, and mainly male, for a 6 week period during the spring and early summer. The best students are then offered continuation training during the late summer and autumn. Applicants should be able to provide (or cost alternatives):

Biathlon roller ski and range facilities; classrooms and fitness training facilities; accommodation; local transport; recreational facilities; weapon & ammunition provision & storage; European firearm certification; a reporting chain to the the BBU and the Military Units or Civilian Clubs of the athletes.

The training may be conducted in the UK and / or abroad. Any individual or organisation wishing to receive the full tender document should apply to the Sec Gen BBU by 01 Jul 08. The Board welcomes applications from UK and foreign, civilian and military individuals or organisations. Radical proposals are welcome.

Tender Documents will be sent out by 01 Aug 08 for return by 01 Sep 08, after which the Board of the BBU will contract the successful applicant by 01 Oct 08.

The AWSA has decided that the 2009 British National, Inter Service and Army Biathlon & Cross Country Championships will be held in Obertilliach AUT. Biathlon is provisionally scheduled for 24 - 29 Jan 09; Cross Country 31 Jan - 03 Feb 09 and the Military Patrol Race on 05 Feb 09. The Championships are organised on behalf of the BBU and SSGB by the Army Winter Sports Association.

The first training camp in Ruhpolding has ended and the athletes are now all at the Olympic Medical Institute (Northwick Park, Harrow) for a week of testing under the supervision of the OMI's Stewart Laing.

After a surprise 3000m race at the Ruhpolding athletics stadium on the opening morning which was won by Pete BEYER (men) and Alanda SCOTT (women), training under new Head Coach Walter PICHLER began in earnest. So earnest in fact that Simon ALLANSON broke his wrist when he forgot that the brakes on a German mountain bike are the reverse of a British one! He is recovering.

From the list published below (01 Mar) Steve HILL and Shane CLASH have left the squad, whilst Mark SCHROEDER did not join. So now we are 15.

IBU Secretary General Michael Geistlinger left his post on 30 Apr 08. A tersely worded statement on the IBU website on 28 Apr reported:

The Executive Board of the International Biathlon Union has decided to conclude with immediate effect as of 30th of April 2008 the cooperation with IBU Secretary General Michael GEISTLINGER due to differences of opionion concerning the future federation strategy. Nicole RESCH will assume temporary office management in the interim period until a successor has been appointed.

It is understood that former Sec Gen Peter Beyer, together with Nicole Resch will be responsible for the organisation of the Congress, to be held in Prague on 04 - 07 Sep 08. After this Peter will finally retire, as will his wife Paula who is the Office Assistant. Sarah Fussek who has been responsible for ADAMS and WADA procedures leaves at the end of June to become PA to the Sec Gen of FIS.

We have now over 120 members on our Facebook Group, please all keep joining and giving your support.

Less than 2 weeks to go for Nicky Walker to start the cycle ride from London to Nice (Followed by an Ironman Challenge). Her training is going well and so far she has raised £ 6243.01 from sponsorship.

She will be joined en-route by British Biathlon Team Members Simon Allanson, Rob Chudley, Lee Jackson, Marcel Laponder and Coach Jason Sklenar.

One third of all donations are earmarked to support British Biathlon! We would like to encourage everyone to donate with some sponsorship, however large or small the amount is, every £1 helps. You can donate by following the link below.

There will be up-to-date route map on www.nice-tri-nicky.co.uk and a blog page that Nicky is going to update every day after the days cycle ride.

This is for all you facebook addicts! We have made an Official British Biathlon Facebook Group for you to all upload all your own Biathlon photo's & videos. You can post virtually anything on the discussion board; about how you think we should be getting more sponsorship or have any fund raising ideas etc.