News Season 2002 - 2003

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MARK GEE SIGNS OFF AT THE TOP

GBR's No 1 Mark Gee has announced his international retirement and signed off at the end of his best ever season by qualifying for the Pursuit at the World Championships last week. "Fred", as he is invariably known, made his International debut in 1991 at the Junior World Championships, recording a 00 in the relay. Three Olympic Games, Six World Championships and 125 World Cup races later, this year's quintuple British Champion will compete for his regiment 2 RTR at the British Championships in 2004 shortly before he leaves the Army. Mark's experience will not be totally lost to the BBU as he has been appointed as one of the coaches to the National Development Squad for this summer. Apart from looking forward to life as a "civvie" he can also look forward to marriage to Ellen and the forthcoming birth of their baby in August. Many congratulations to Fred and Ellen, and many thanks for all you have done for British Biathlon.

WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS

As reported above, Mark Gee qualified for the World Championships Pursuit when he finished 56th in the Sprint. Marc Walker found the warming snow difficult to deal with when finishing 85th from 91. Gee was unfortunately lapped during the windy conditions in the Pursuit. The weather was again against the athletes in the 20 km individual and not a single athlete shot clear. Mark Gee missed 8 and Marc Walker 7 to finish 81st and 86th respectively. GBR did not compete in the relay, which was won by Germany, and finished 18th from 20 in the World Cup Relay standings. Relay Points. In the Nations Cup GBR held on to 19th place with a 270 point advantage over the USA. By finishing 19th from the 39 Nations, GBR are guaranteed 3 start places in each World Cup next season. Nations Cup

The World Championships produced a number of close races, and our prediction on 20 Feb (below) that Germany was running into form at the right time was born out as they headed the Medal table. Norway were second with the Russians a disappointing third on their home tracks. Ole Einar Björndalen silenced some ill informed media comment with 2 gold medals, whilst Ruhpolding's Ricco Gross won a medal in every race bar one. From the GBR perspective the Pursuit gold medal (in the first ever World Champs dead heat) for Martina Glagow was a triumph, bettered only by her crowning as the World Cup Women's Points Champion. A real credit to Martina and her father, the GBR waxman Martin.

Men's Results:     Sprint   Pursuit   Individual    

6 March 2003 - Forni Avoltri

EUROPEAN CHAMPIONSHIPS

The European Cup athletes ended their season with mixed fortunes in Italy last week at the European Championships. Joe Brooks produced his best shooting form of the season but fellow Royal Marine Kurt Sumner was dogged by a sore throat and had a poor last couple of days. Lance Hodgkins and Stephen Hope both re-confirmed their World Cup start place qualification. The final race, the Relay, was disappointing, but it was the end of a long season - especially for Hodgkins who also competed in every race at the UK Land Championships. Light training is the order of the day for the next month before the team re-assembles in Ruhpolding for summer training. The team support staff, shooting coach Roger Roberts and waxman Martin Glagow, now fly off to Siberia and the World Championships.

Results:     Sprint   Pursuit   Individual   Relay

24 February  2003 - Canmore

CANADIAN CHAMPIONSHIPS

European Cup athlete Andrew Hallett recorded a 6th place in the Sprint and 8th in the mass Start at the Canadian Nationals last weekend.

Results

23 - 28 February 2003

NO WEB UPDATES!

Due to technical difficulties whilst the BBU office moves back to the UK this week, we regret that there are unlikely to be any updates until 1 March. For results from the European Championships go direct to IBU Live results - if you have not done this before, check our "European Cup" page for instructions; it is easier than it looks!

23 February 2003 - Östersund

MARTINA GLAGOW GETS THE "YELLOW VEST"

Martina, daughter of GBR team waxman Martin Glagow, has moved into the lead in the Women's World Cup standings and will start the Women's Sprint at the World Championships wearing the coveted "yellow bib or vest". Most pundits tipped fellow German Uschi Disl to take the mantle of World's top woman biathlete from the now retired Magdalena Forsberg SWE. But where better for Martina to snatch the lead than in front of Magdalena and her home crowd in Östersund? Consistent all season, a terrific run on the Scandinavian tour has put her in pole position. Congratulations to her and our waxman! Women's World Cup

23 February 2003 - Östersund

SHOOTING ERRORS PURSUE GEE!

Fortunately Mark Gee left his worst shooting of the season (2321) to a non Nations' Cup race, when he finished 48th (start 45th) in the 12,5 km Pursuit in Östersund this afternoon. With only waxman Martin Glagow still in Sweden to help Mark prepare for the race, it may be that the lack of support staff was the foundation of a less than satisfactory day for him. Vladimir Dratchev BLR raced to victory from a start place of 20th.  Results

21 February 2003

WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS TEAM (Khanty Mansiysk RUS, 15 - 23 March

Mark Gee 2 RTR

Marc Walker 1 GS Regt RLC

Profiles of both athletes, with full race records will be published here shortly before the Championships. 145 senior apperances for Mark Gee since 1992 - 93; 13 for Marc Walker since 2000!

21 February 2003

EUROPEAN CHAMPIONSHIPS TEAM (Forni Avoltri ITA,   26 Feb - 2 March

Joe Brooks 45 Cdo RM

Tom Clemens 1 D & D

Lance Hodgkins 40 Regt RA

Stephen Hope Riala SK (SWE)

Kurt Sumner 45 Cdo RM

21 February 2003 - Östersund

BIRTHDAY PURSUIT FOR MARK GEE

Mark Gee celebrated his 31st birthday today by becoming the only GBR racer to qualify for a Pursuit start this season. In the final World Cup 20 km Individual race of the campaign he finished 45th (10.39%), shooting 1010, and thus starts in the Pursuit on Sunday (13:00 GMT).

Although Kurt Sumner shot nearly as well as Fred (1101) and recorded his best percentage of the season (16.05%), he could only finish 63rd. The first prone shoot was the downfall of Tom Clemens (3111), who came in at 67th. Unfortunately neither qualified for the World Championships in Khanty Mansiysk.RUS  from 15 - 23 March.  Results.   Nations Cup

20 February 2003 - Östersund

DOUBLE VICTORY FOR GERMANY

Who suggested that the Germans had their training wrong this season? With victories for Kati Wilhelm, and a 3rd place for Uschi Disl, in the women's sprint this morning, the men followed this up with victory for Sven Fischer by just 1.2 secs from Vladimir Dratchev BLR this afternoon. It was Fischer's 22nd World Cup victory and the tenth season running he has won a WC race. Like the rest of the German team is coming into great form in the run up to the World Championships next month in Khanty Mansiysk RUS.

The great form of last week deserted Marc Walker who could only finish 70 just one place behind Kurt Sumner. Tom Clemens skied the fastest but after another indifferent day on the range was only 68th. Both Kurt and Tom have one final chance to qualify for the World Championships in the 20 km Individual race tomorrow (1300 GMT), when Mark Gee will be the third starter. Both Gee and Walker magnanimously gave up one start place each this week, in order to give the other two athletes  the maximum number of races in an attempt to qualify for Khanty Mansiysk. Results.   Nations Cup

15 February 2003 - Oslo -  Holmenkollen

MARC WALKER'S LIFE-TIME BEST

After 12 years of biathlon at various levels Marc Walker recorded his first ever 00 shoot (no penalties) in the Sprint at World Cup 8 in Holmenkollen NOR today. Not only that, but he also achieved a first ever under 10% in a World Cup (9.75%) when he finished 65th, just one place and 4 seconds behind behind Mark Gee (01). It was the first time for many seasons that two GBR athletes both scored under 10% in the same race and Walker now joins Gee in selection for the World Championships in Khanty-Mansiysk RUS next month. Poor shooting was again the downfall of Tom Clemens who finished way down the field, but who, along with Kurt Sumner, has a final chance of qualifying at the final WC in Östersund SWE next week. Vladimir Dratchev was the winner heading a very strong Belarusian team, but the Germans returned to form with their top four in the top 20, with Sven Fischer on the podium for the first time this season in 3rd.

Results   ... and GBR is still 18th in the Nations Cup

14 February 2003 - Gurnigel

SWISS SPRINT SURPRISES EC TEAM

Not one of the great days for the GBR European Cup Team at the EC 7 Sprint in Gurnigel SUI. Joe Brookes had to pull out through illness, Lance Hodgkins was suffering from a surfeit of racing and although Stephen Hope felt "on form" and was the best of the Brits, he was equally at a loss to explain his low position. Results

13 February 2003

AGM MINUTES PUBLISHED

Click here to see the Minutes of the AGM, held in Ruhpolding on 1 Feb 03.

(PDF)

13 February 2003

SUMMER TRAINING SQUADS NAMED

The World and European Cup Teams head the list of those selected for Summer training. The World Cup and some senior European Cup athletes will probably train during the summer in Ruhpolding. Some are unavailable for full time training or else will train overseas. National selection races will be held in Scandinavia in November.

18 new names have been added to those selected for the GBR Development Squads. Subject to the availability and affordability of a coach, there will be 3 courses in Scotland during the summer, followed by one on snow camp. There is currently no funding to support any summer training for the 4 women selected.

See GBR Teams for more!

13 February 2003 - Oslo

RELAY IMPROVEMENT

The return of the GBR relay team at Holmenkollen also saw an improvement in the "time behind" factor at the  WC 8 today. Although GBR finished in last place the gap between the winners (BLR) and the team above (JPN) was closed a little. Kurt Sumner had a fairly torrid time on the range and will miss out on Saturday's Sprint, when Tom Clemens and Marc Walker  will join Mark Gee and be hoping to emulate him with a World Championships qualifier. Results

8 February 2003 - Lahti

MARK GEE HITS PEAK FORM

Fresh from winning 5 British titles last week in Ruhpolding, Mark Gee today posted the best British World Cup result for many seasons when he finished 45th from, an admittedly small field, of 68. However his it was his percentage that was particularly impressive as he was only 7.72% behind the average of the first three. Kurt Sumner finished 63rd and Tom Clemens, after a nightmare on the standing shoot, 66th. Surprise winner was Alexander Wolf GER who recorded his first WC victory.

The women's race had only 42 starters and the poor turn out in both events does little to inspire confidence in the future of Lahti as a WC venue, not withstanding the excellent spectator facilities for the rather dismal numbers who turned out. Perhaps the fact that there are only 2 races - a Sprint and a Mass Start has much do do with the poor support. The next venue for GBR is Holmenkollen NOR and WC 8 with the Relay on Thursday 13 Feb, the Sprint on Saturday 15 Feb and hopefully, for the first time this season for GBR, a Pursuit on Sunday 16 Feb. Results. The Nations Cup points scored in this race have seen GBR to move up to 18th place. Nations Cup.

8 February 2003

EUROPEAN CUP TEAM HEAD FOR SWITZERLAND

The European Cup Team head off for Gurnigel SWI shortly, where their next race is a Sprint on Friday, 14 Feb. After re-selection at the British Championships the team is Joe Brooks 45 Cdo RM, Lance Hodgkins 40 Regt RA, Stephen Hope Riala SK, Lee-Steve Jackson 1 Green Howards. Carl Carrier RAF has deployed to the Gulf and Andrew Hallett has returned to University in Canada. Roger Roberts, the national shooting coach, is team manager.

7 February 2003

WORLD CUP RESUMES IN LAHTI

The Ruhrgas World Cup season resumes tomorrow in Lahti FIN. Tom Clemens, Mark Gee and Kurt Sumner will start for GBR. The race will be shown live on Eurosport and British Eurosport at 1300 GMT (with the women's sprint live at 0930 GMT).

7 February 2003

NEW CHAMPIONS CROWNED

1 HLDRS won the Marina, 22 Regt RA were Army (Kentish Cup) Champions and 45 Cdo RM the Inter Service (SAS Cup) unit team champions at the British National and Army Championships which ended in snowy Ruhpolding yesterday.

BBU Club Champions were Mne Menzies Maccaffer (Senior Men), Mne Alex Tingle (Senior Novice Men), Gnr Kevin Kane (Junior Men), Mne Stuart Reddin (Junior Novice Men), Cpl Adele Turner (Women) and Sig Kate Connelly  (Junior Women)

7 February 2003

PATROL BLIZZARD

The weather forecasters got it a bit wrong yesterday, and although it was not a "classic alpine day of sun on new snow" it was a "classic Patrol Race day". In other words it was windy and snowing; at times it was a blizzard! Nevertheless the 15 teams all completed the course in good humour and in good times considering the 23 km distance. As predicted 45 Cdo RM won the race, but by less than 90 seconds from the Royal Air Force team. 2 LI racing Hors Concors were third with 40 Regt RA being the Army champions. Results

6 February 2003

DREAMY DEEP SNOW FOR PATROL RACE

With over half a metre of new snow having fallen in the past 36 hours the conditions underfoot for today's 25 km Military Patrol Race are almost perfect. The conditions overhead are not quite so clear as Ruhpolding awoke to cloudy skies with slight now flurries. However the forecast is progressively better during the day and a potentially classic Patrol Race could be matched by a classic alpine day of sun and fresh snow. 45 Cdo RM are the red hot favourites to win, but the field is then wide open between half a dozen other teams. Prize Giving tonight will see the conclusion of a slightly depleted Championships, but the enthusiasm of the competitors, the quality of the guest athletes and the generally good snow and weather conditions have more than compensated.

5 February 2003

GERMANY WIN BRITISH RELAY TITLE!

With Uschi Disl (twice an Olympic Gold Medallist) and triple Olympic Gold Medallist Ricco Gross in their team, it was hardly surprising that a mixed German Hors Concors team was first home in the British National 4 x 7.5 km Biathlon Relay yesterday. Making up their numbers were World Cup athlete Andreas Birnbacher and Hansi Stockl who won both the Men's Sprint and Pursuit at the British Championships in 2002. Such was the quality of the field that the first British team home was 45 Cdo RM, 16 minutes behind the Germans, with 40 Regt RA a further 13 minutes behind them as top Army team. Results

5 February 2003

HIGHLANDERS TAKE MARINA!

The Princess Marina Cup for the "Champion Skiing Unit of the British Army" are 1st Battalion the Highland Regiment (1 HLDRS). With only 5 teams in this years competition 1 HLDRS made a clean sweep coming first of all the Marina teams in every Alpine and Nordic race so far. Even with a disqualification in tomorrow's Patrol Race they would still win "The Marina" and become the first Infantry team to do so since 2 Scots Gds in 1957. Latest

SAS & KENTISH CUPS IN THE BALANCE

Whilst only a disaster in the Patrol Race should prevent 45 Cdo RM from winning the SAS Cup as Champion Inter Service Team the fate of the Kentish Cup for Champion Army Team is less certain as only 3 points separate leaders 22 Regt RA from second place 40 Regt RA. Latest SAS   Kentish

5 February 2003

THE ARMY AND THE INFANTRY ARE CHAMPIONS!

The Army have won the Inter Service Nordic Title for the 25th time since records began, with the Navy (4 wins) in second place. In the Inter Corps Championship the Infantry have made it a hat trick by winning for the third year in a row.

2 February 2003

FINAL WORLD CUP SELECTION

The World Cup team for Lahti FIN (WC 7), Holmenkollen NOR (WC 8) and Ostersund SWE (WC 9) has been selected following the British Championships. it is Mark Gee, Tom Clemens, Kurt Sumner and Marc Walker. Selection for the remaining European Cup races will be made after the Biathlon Relay on Tuesday. Team Captain will be Mark Gee as Jason Sklenar has not recovered from back injury and will be undergoing treatment for a few days at the BOMC in Northwick Park Hospital, Harrow.

2 February 2003

AGM VOTES NEW BOARD

The 6th AGM of the BBU was held on Sat 1 Feb in Ruhpolding. Full minutes will be published in a couple of weeks, however the voting for new Board Members resulted in the re-appointment of Graeme Ferguson (46 votes); the appointment of Andy Cowling (46 votes) and Jeremy Hopwood (38 votes). They join existing Board Members Eddy Lowe, Mark Goodson and Chairman David Cranston. One Board position remains vacant. Minutes

2 February 2003

FIVE GOLDS FOR MARK GEE

Mark Gee won his 5th Gold Medal of the week in convincing style when he captured the Biathlon Pursuit title by over 3 minutes today. He was able to treble the starting advantage he had following the 10 km Sprint on Saturday. What a week for the 3 times Aviemore based Olympian, who hails from Southend-on-Sea and is a serving member of the 2nd Royal Tank Regiment.  More

30 January 2003

MARK GEE'S HAT TRICK

Mark Gee made it 3 wins out of 3 in the main events when he won the the 20 km Biathlon today. Only a second place to Tom Clemens in the Skiworld Super 16 prevented a clean sweep so far.  Click for RESULTS

27 January 2003

MARK GEE TAKES NATIONAL CROSS COUNTRY TITLES

Mark Gee of 2 RTR won both the National 15 km and 5 km Pursuit Cross Country Titles in Ruhpolding. Click for RESULTS

24 January 2003

BRITISH CHAMPIONSHIPS

There is a reduced field in Ruhpolding for the British, Inter Service and Army Biathlon & Cross Country Championships. BUT WE ARE HERE!  There is good snow coverage at the stadium and it is snowing today!

The first race is the 15 km Cross Country (Men) and 10 km (Women), tomorrow Sat 25 Jan.

Click for RESULTS

For accommodation during the British Championships look at www.ruhpolding.de.

Click for information and details of HOW TO GET TO RUHPOLDING

23 January 2003

NORMAL SERVICE HAS BEEN RESUMED ...

We are back!

As promised our full coverage has been resumed, and on a day when Kurt Sumner made his World Cup debut and GBR scored its highest Nations' Cup points of the season in the 20 km Individual race at WC 6 in Antholz!

ANTHOLZ  WORLD CUP

Kurt, who has spent a number of years in the European Cup team, gained his long awaited slot following illness to Jason Sklenar and Marc Walker. Not only was it his first World Cup, but he started in first place! His final position was 86th out of 102 starters. Tom Clemens continued his return to form finishing 66th, just one place ahead of Marc Gee. This gave GBR a season's best 174 Nations Cup points.

The World Cup season takes a short break now until 6 - 9 Feb at Lahti in Finland.

Results     Nations Cup

23 January 2003

WORLD UNIVERSIADE - WORLD STUDENT GAMES

Andrew Hallett is the sole GBR representative at the World Student Games in Forni Avoltri. He has had fair results in a high quality field coming 39th in the Individual, 53rd in the Sprint and 42nd in the Pursuit.

23 January 2003

WORLD CUP 5 - Ruhpolding

68,000 spectators paid to enter the arena in Ruhpolding last week for WC 5 - a record. At times there seemed to be that number in the VIP tent; but that is another story! Tom Clemens made his return to the World Cup team coming 93rd from a large field of 111 in the Pursuit. Marc Walker was one place ahead and Mark Gee in 83rd. The shooting was the best of the season, but the boys simply have to ski faster!

Results

12 January 2003

CONGRATULATIONS JACKO!

Many congratulations to Lee Jackson on the birth of a baby daughter on Saturday. After a three week lay off, Jacko returns to snow and will race with the EC team in Ridnaun ITA at EC 5 this week.

12 January 2003

CLEMENS CALLED UP FOR WORLD CUP TEAM

After a most promising EC in Forni Avoltri, Tom Clemens has been called into the Ruhpolding World Cup team, nearly a year to the day after his last WC race. He provides cover for Jason Sklenar who has not yet recovered from a back injury that forced him to miss the last World Cup.

11 January 2003

NORMAL SERVICE WILL BE RESUMED ...

The BBU Office will be closed for 5 to 6 weeks from 12 Jan during the main part of the World Cup and British Championship racing season. Your Emails will still reach us, and for urgent matters we can be contacted on: 0044 7971 587547 (until 21 Jan and from 15 Feb) and 0049 8663 419800 (from 21 Jan - 14 Feb).

We are sorry, but this web page is most unlikely to be updated again until 22 / 23 Jan. For World & European Cup Information and British Championship results click on relevant page above. please note that at WC 6 (Antholz) GBR will only be entering the 20 km Individual.

To book accommodation at Ruhpolding during the World Cup, you are probably a few months too late! For accommodation during the British Championships look at www.ruhpolding.de.

Click for information and details of HOW TO GET TO RUHPOLDING

11 January 2003 - Forni Avoltri ITA

CLEMENS LEAPS IN PURSUIT

Tom Clemens almost achieved the highest ever jump in position in a Pursuit when, at the European Cup race in Forni Avoltri today he leapt from 34th to 20th. Had he not missed 3 targets he could well have bettered the 15 place rise of Jason Sklenar in the WC at Ostersund last season. Kurt Sumner overtook Joe Brooks who in turn pipped Andy Hallett. Lance Hodgkins spent the day in a train rather than training as he had to join his Regimental team in the Divisional Championships at Serre Chevalier FRA. Special mention should be made of a familiar Australian face at the British Champions, Scott Malpass.He only missed 2 targets and maintained his start slot. Results

10 January 2003

AGM 2003

The 6th AGM of the BBU will be held in Ruhpolding GER during the British Championships at 17:00 on Saturday 1st February 2003

CLICK FOR THE NOTICE OF MEETING & BBU BOARD MEMBER CANDIDATURE FORM

10 January 2003

RUHPOLDING SNOW GETTING BETTER!

The omens are good for both next week's World Cup and the British Championships in Ruhpolding. Not only has some 4000 cubic metres (100 trucks) worth of snow been brought in, but it has been snowing and the artificial canons have been working flat out. All looks good for the British & Army Championships which begin with Cross Country (15 km) on Saturday 25 Juan. Biathlon starts on Thu 30 Jan with the 20 and 15 km Individual. Click for programme

RUHPOLDING'S THEO MERKEL DIES

We regret to announce the death of Theo Merkel. Theo (68) was a "founding father" of biathlon in Germany and competed at the Olympic Winter Games of 1972 and 1976. He was a great friend and supporter of British and Army biathlon for many years.

10 January 2003

CLEMENS IMPRESSIVE COMEBACK

Tom Clemens made an excellent comeback to racing after 11 months of semi retirement in the EC 4 Sprint at Forni Avoltri ITA today to finish in 34th place. This was only 8.35% behind the winner and was just over 2 minutes faster than second placed GBR athlete Andy Hallett. Andy achieved a World Cup start place qualifier in his first ever Senior EC race. GBR had five athletes in the top who qualified for tomorrow's Pursuit. Results  

9 January 2003 - Oberhof

OLE EINAR TRIUMPHS AGAIN

Being voted the best male athlete of the year by the member Associations of the International Sports Press Association (AIPS) certainly did not go to head of Ole Einar Björndalen in the first men's race in the Biathlon Trophy at the Oberhof World Cup today. The top 15 athletes all finished within a minute of each other. Jason Sklenar missed the start with back spasms, but Marc Gee made a reasonable comeback after a one month lay off through injury to finish 79th. Marc Walker just recorded his best result of the season when finishing 91st with a percentage of 19.21%. Results

7 January 2003

EUROPEAN CUP AT FORNI AVOLTRI

There has just been enough snow to race EC 4 in Forni Avoltri ITA as scheduled this Friday, 10 Jan (Sprint) and Saturday, 12 Jan (Pursuit). GBR will race a large team of:

Andrew, who is at University in Canada is making his debut at EC Senior level, and Stephen, who lives in Sweden, his all time debut for GBR; congratulations!.

7 January 2003

POST CHRISTMAS WC SELECTION

The World Cup Team for WC, 4, 5 and 6 is Jason Sklenar, Mark Gee and Marc Walker. Lee Jackson will return to the team when "match fit" after family commitments in the UK. Tom Clemens is on call as first reserve should Mark Gee have a recurrence of his knee injury. There will be no GBR relay team at WC 4 in Oberhof GER, this week.

2 January 2003

DIXIE'S RECORD OF RECORDS

For the first time since 1985 A New year starts without the anticipation of results from GBR's living biathlon legend, Mike Dixon. Mike retired from biathlon after his 6th Olympic Winter Games (and his 5th as a biathlete) in Salt Lake City in February 2002.  In November 2002 he retired from the Army and is now commentating for Eurosport.

In his five Olympics he missed only 14 out of 180 targets - an amazing record. In his entire career he only missed 480 out of 3145 targets - a hit rate of 84.74%!

To see the details of all Mike's 13 Olympic, 38 World Championship and 186 World Cup races click here to go to the Archive Page

2 January 2003

TROPHY RACES SAFE

The weather has been unkind, but after warm fronts and severe rain over Christmas it looks as if expected cold weather will allow the Ruhrgas Biathlon World Cups 4, 5, 6 in Oberhof, Ruhpolding and Antholz to take place as planned. These three fabulous venues host the "ORA Trophy" races

22 December 2002

WE WISH ALL OUR VIEWERS A VERY HAPPY CHRISTMAS AND A PEACEFUL AND PROSPEROUS NEW YEAR

Thank you for supporting our web site and the GBR teams this year.

Whilst we are just about holding our own on the International scene, long term development, and the dream of an Olympic medal in 2010 is increasingly difficult without a major sponsor. If any of you out there think you can raise awareness of our great sport, or introduce a potential sponsor, or wish to help us in any capacity, please contact us!

21 December 2002 - Obertilliach

CHRISTMAS STARTS WITH A SPRINT FOR LANCE!

Lance Hodgkins posted his best ever European Cup result when he finished 41st in the Obertilliach Sprint at EC 3 today. Carl Carrier was 47th and both beat a couple of familiar faces at the British Championships, Peter Moysey NZL and Scott Malpass AUS. Only two athletes in the field of 62 hit all targets, but nine athletes missed only one. Lance and Carl were amongst the nine, so are entitled to a Very Happy Christmas. European Cups continue, with a full GBR team, in Forni Avoltri ITA on 10 January 2003.  Click for PDF Results

20 December 2002 - Osrblie

PERCENTAGE IMPROVEMENT FOR GBR RELAY TEAM

The GBR quartet of Jason Sklenar (00), Lee Jackson (00), Marc Walker (00) and Joe Brooks (02) had their best relay of the season. percentage-wise. Although they finished in 16th, and last place, there was a marked improvement from last week, with the team being 14.20% behind the average of the first three. This is encouraging but we all admit that we are not skiing fast enough, and the percentage gap must be closed if we are to make an impact after Christmas. Click for PDF Results.

The next World Cup will be the first event of the "Biathlon Trophy", and takes place in Oberhof GER, starting on Wednesday 8th January.

20 December 2002 - Obertilliach

INDIVIDUAL QUALIFIERS IN EUROPEAN CUP

Very good shooting by European Cup athletes Lance Hodgkins and Carl Carrier meant that they both achieved personal bests in the European Cup Individual race in Obertilliach AUT today.

With no support staff at the the event, Lance finished 42nd and Carl 50th, Carl followed Lance's achievement of last week as he posted a World Cup start place qualifier.

Next, and final race before Christmas is the Sprint tomorrow.

19 December 2002 - Osrblie

POIREE HITS PEAK FORM IN SPRINT

Raphael Poiree FRA, the reigning overall World Cup Champion hit peak form as he out skied and out shot the field to win today's Sprint by the unusually large margin of 43 seconds from Slovenian Janez Maric. Frode Andresen continued Norway's good run of form when finishing 3rd.

The GBR team skied faster than last week, but did anything but hit shooting form. Jason Sklenar (83rd) missed 3, and although Marc Walker had his best place of the season (89th), both he and Lee Jackson (91st) missed 4 targets each. Consistency is not our strong point this season! Click for PDF Results.  The team remains in 19th place in the Nations' Cup points.

The next race is the relay at 1300 (GMT) tomorrow, Friday, and this will be the last race before Christmas for GBR.

19 December 2002 - Osrblie

JACKO IN TV START LINE UP

With a start position of No 3, Lee Jackson is almost certainly guaranteed some TV time in the sprint today (1315 GMT) at Biathlon World Cup 3 in Osrblie Slovakia. This will be the first World Cup to be held in the scheduled venue this winter.

18 December 2002 - Ruhpolding

BRITISH CHAMPIONSHIPS ON COURSE

Military commitments have resulted in the cancellation of one of the qualifying meetings for the British Championships. Ex Pipedown, the 1 (UK) Armd Div Championships in Les Contamines FRA has been cancelled and athletes will compete at Serre Chevalier with HQ Land, instead. The British Championships remain on course!

17 December 2002 - Canmore

ANDY HALLETT A HIT IN CANADA

GBR's representative in the World Student Games next month, Andy Hallett, had a personal triumph when finishing 4th in the Sprint - just 3 seconds off a podium place, and then 8th in the Pursuit at the North American Championships in Canmore last weekend. Andrew, a student at Augustana University College, represented GBR in the World Junior Championships in 2001 and will be racing on the European Cup circuit before the Games in Forni Avoltri.

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15 December 2002

PURSUIT PAIR'S MIXED FORTUNE

European Cup 2 concluded with mixed fortunes for the GBR pair Lance Hodgkins, who started 55th and Carl Carrier who began 58th. Lance skied the faster of the pair but had a fairly torrid time on the range missing 8, however he held onto his 55th place. Only two athletes, including the winner shot better than Carl who only missed two targets and moved up to 54th. This follows a strong RAF tradition for good shooting and was a most encouraging start to his EC pursuit career. The two will remain in Obertilliach, without any support staff, for next week's European Cup which has been re-scheduled for Friday 20 and Saturday 21 December. Click for results (PDF)

14 December 2002

LEE JACKSON LEADS GBR AS NORWAY TAKE SPRINT HONOURS

Lee Jackson started the Sprint just 30 seconds ahead of quadruple Olympic gold medallist Ole Einar Bjoerndalen, but the Norwegian had a terrific race to claim victory by 24 seconds ahead of team mate Frode Andresen. Norway are having a storming start to the season under new coach Arne Idland, who used to coach the GBR team.

Having a storming little race of his own in only his second ever World Cup sprint was Lee Jackson, who shot 1-0, and was much faster on the range than before. He also went up 20 places from last week, to finish 81st with a most encouraging percentage of 12.41. Jason Sklenar failed to re-capture his form here of last season and finished 96th, three places ahead of Marc Walker. Click for Results (PDF)  and for Nations Cup Points, where GBR are hanging on to 19th place.

So, no Sunday Pursuit for GBR, whose next race will be in the as scheduled World Cup 3 Sprint in Brezno-Osrblie Slovakia on Thursday 19 December. The team fly down on Monday, but there is a 2400 km drive for the support staff!

14 December 2002

EUROPEAN CUP ATHLETES MAKE PURSUIT CUT

Lance Hodgkins and Carl Carrier (in his first ever race for GBR) both made the cut for the European Cup Pursuit in Obertilliach AUT tomorrow, Sunday 15 December, albeit there were only 68 finishers in the Sprint today! They both shot 1-2 with Carl in 58th and Lance three places above him. More importantly Lance achieved an IBU World Cup start place qualifier, which Carl only just missed. Obertilliach is hosting the races this weekend as they were transferred from Rosenau-Windischgarsten.  Click for Results (PDF)

13 December 2002

IBU "LIVE RESULTS" - FANTASTIC STATISTICS

After a few trials and tribulations in recent years, the new IBU / SIWIDATA LIVERESULTS (Results Panel) gives virtually instant lap times, positions, shooting scores etc etc during all World Cups. It is a fantastic aid when watching races on TV, and even when not, gives an amazing second by second update of the race. Results etc are shown during and after a race on screen and there is a full PDF facility to download and / or print off start lists, results, competition analysis etc. It takes a bit of time to work your way round the system - but once you are there, all that's missing are live TV / video shots; but that's what the TV is for! For full details click here and see below the Table in our World Cup page.

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12 December 2002

MARK GEE SITS IT OUT UNTIL THE NEW YEAR

Three times Olympian Mark ("Fred") Gee suffered his first major injury for many years, when he damaged his knee muscles and ligaments in the WC 1 relay. He is undergoing treatment in Oslo, but will not be back on the WC circuit until WC 4 at Oberhof. Joe Brooks is providing the cover for Fred.

12 December 2002

RELAY SURPRISE RESULT

11 December 2002

GBR ATHLETES TO START IN PRE-CHRISTMAS EUROPEAN CUPS

There has been a slight improvement in the snow conditions in Obertilliach and following the transfer of European Cup 2 from Rosenau-Windischgarsten, two of the GBR European Cup team will race there in EC 2 and 3. Carl Carrier will make his, and the Royal Air Force's, debut at this level, and he will be joined by second EC athlete, Lance Hodgkins from 40 Regt RA.

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10 December 2002

WORLD CUP 3 BACK ON SCHEDULE

WC 3, which was always scheduled to be held in Brezno-Osrblie in Slovakia will be held there from 19 - 22 December. There is (just) enough snow, and it should be warmer than Sweden! The first GBR race will be the men's sprint on Thu 19 Dec. More after WC 2 !

7 December 2002

"SAME PROCEDURE AS LAST YEAR" FOR NORWAY RELAY TEAM

Although they changed their running order, the Norwegian Olympic quartet won the Men's Relay in Östersund by 8.7 seconds from Russia. Germany were third. GBR had a fairly torrid race finishing last of the 18 nations.

Mark Gee lost 45 seconds when he fell on the fastest part of the course but still shot clear and recorded the fastest GBR leg. He handed over to Jason Sklenar in 17th place who also shot clear and maintained this position. Unfortunately Lee Jackson skied his slowest for some weeks and missed three prone targets. Marc Walker had problems with one of his boots, missed two targets, and was overtaken by a rather fast Japanese racer. The promise shown on Thursday did not materialise, but it can only get better, even though Mark Gee will miss the next Relay for personal reasons and Joe Brooks will take his place. Click for PDF Results

6 December 2002

GERMANS TAKE WOMEN'S RELAY

With 3 Olympic Gold medallists in their team, Germany won the opening relay of the season, which was raced over the new women's distance of 4 x 6 km. Norway were 17 seconds behind and Russia third

6 December 2002

NEW NATIONAL COACH APPOINTED

The BBU Board is delighted to announce their unanimous decision to appoint Roger Roberts as the new National Coach. This is a short term appointment until 31 March 2003. The BBU will be advertising for a permanent National Coach in the New Year, but if you wish to receive advance information please contact us now!

5 December 2002

MIXED FORTUNES FOR GBR AS NORWAY TRIUMPH

Beating the overall world cup winner by 38 second, Norway's Frode Andresen gave an excellent performance in the first sprint competition of the season in Östersund, Sweden. He succeeded in 24:46.3 minutes. Even Rafael Poiree had to watch from behind. One misfired shot in the standing position proved fatal for the triple overall world cup winner. Only two seconds behind Poiree, Oleg Ryzhenkov from Russia crossed the finishing line. Egil Gjelland NOR and the Belarussian Vladimir Dratchev were 4th and 5th.

Great Britain had a mixed start to the season. Although Mark Gee finished in 73rd place, he was only 10.04% behind, just off his Olympic qualifying 9.75% last season. Jason Sklenar improved his percentage from 14.38 to 14.11 and finished 88th. In his debut World Cup, Lee Jackson was 103 (21.59%). Hopefully the percentages are a positive sign of things to come in the Relay on Saturday. Click for PDF RESULTS 

Olga Zaitseva RUS won the women's sprint. Followers up were Sylvie Becaert FRA, and Olga Pyleva RUS. Germany's Katja Beer and Kati Wilhelm ranked 4 and 5.

5 December 2002

WORLD CUP 2 REMAINS IN ÖSTERSUND

Less than 24 hours after it looked as though Poklujka SLO would be able to host Biathlon World Cup 2 , 11 - 15 Dec, a warm front and rain washed away their remaining hopes. WC2 will now follow WC 1 in Östersund SWE. There is no decision yet on the location for WC 3, which is scheduled for Osrblie SVK 19 -22 Dec.

4 December 2002

LEE JACKSON MAKES WORLD CUP DEBUT

Lee Jackson from 1 Green Howards, will make his World Cup debut in the Sprint on Thu 5 Dec in Östersund SWE. World Cup 1 has been moved here from Hochfilzen AUT. Olympians Mark Gee and Jason Sklenar make up the team, with Marc Walker joining them in the Relay on Saturday.

4 December 2002

GBR LIKELY TO MISS EUROPEAN CUPS 2 & 3

The snow is still poor - or non existent in Rosenau and Obertilliach AUT, scheduled venue for European Cups 2 & 3. The GBR team have thus returned to individual training with their regimental teams, and will make their seasonal debut after Christmas, unless there is a major snow fall in the Alps in the next few days

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