Board, Athletes and Coaches
GB Senior Athletes
Ciara Mitchell
- Hometown: Leeds
Background:
I started skiing with the army when I was 18 years old. By the age of 20 I was scouted to train fulltime for the BBU. At 22 I raced as a senior on the IBU cup circuit qualifying for every trimester.
Why do you love Biathlon?
I love biathlon because it’s one of the hardest but most rewarding sports in the world. There’s no beginner’s luck, just hard work and determination.
Goals:
My goal is clear: to qualify for one of the 12 Olympic wildcards available for smaller nations at the 2026 Milan Winter Games.
Hobbies and Interests:
I love to socialise with friends and family and I’m big into watching football, especially Leeds utd. I also like to watch films and compete in a good pub quiz.
Marcus Webb
- Hometown: A sleepy village in Wiltshire
Background:
Half English and half Norwegian.
I was first introduced to biathlon in 2019 through the British Army. After the end of the Army season in February 2020 I was selected for the British Development Team alongside Alfie and Ciara. In November 2021, I was selected for the GB IBU Cup team and raced at the European Championships that season.
Current training:
I was selected to join Team Blåne in Lillehammer, Norway in March 2022 for their training season. Team Blåne is a professional biathlon team and provide monthly training camps, 3-5 coached sessions a week, testing, training plans and a fantastic group to train with.
Training in Norway has been a great decision as my skiing and shooting is progressing steadily and I have learnt so much from the coaches and other athletes. They do find it funny that a 27 year old, who has only recently taken up biathlon (compared to the locals who were on skis before they could walk) is giving them a run for their money!
Goals:
My goal is clear: to qualify for one of the 12 Olympic wildcards available for smaller nations at the 2026 Milan Winter Games.
Hobbies and Interests:
I am converting my own camper van (very slowly) and occasionally play disc golf which is very popular with athletes in Lillehammer. It’s an excellent way of getting outside, stretching the legs and taking the mind off biathlon.
GB Junior Athletes
Alfie Sprake
- Age: 20
Background:
I first started biathlon in late 2019 with 17 Port & Maritime Regiment RLC. Racing as a youth, I won various prizes and was selected to train with the British Biathlon Development Team in Kinloss, Scotland in 2020. In the ‘year of COVID-19’, I raced some local Austrian Alpen Cup races, successfully qualifying for the 2020/2021 Junior World Championships, my first international race.
In my 3rd year of full-time training, I have been selected to train alongside Whistler Nordic Development Center in Canada.
What have you enjoyed most since becoming a Biathlete?
My biathlon journey so far has been unbelievable. Travelling to over 15 different countries, training with new people and racing (most importantly) is what I love most about the sport!
Anna Berger
Cara Loates
- Age: 17
Background:
Growing up I participated in every sport I could from martial arts to netball to watersports. After I got the bug for competing, I decided to focus on Taekwondo and rowing which I’ve had multiple successes in, including gaining my black belt and winning several national medals over the 2 sports. I am now exclusively training as a Biathlete.
What are your ambitions in the sport?
My ambition is to firstly make my international debut for Great Britain starting on the OPA Cup and moving up to the IBU Cup. I aspire to reach the standard to be able to compete on the World Cup and fulfil my childhood dream of becoming an Olympian!
How do you feel on snow?
Having only skied for the first time in December 2021 with the BBU Talent Programme, every time I go on snow still feels a bit weird but amazing! There is something so special about xc skiing in beautiful locations with other driven athletes.
What have you enjoyed most since becoming a Biathlete?
I love new challenges so the completely alien task of learning to roller ski and shoot rifles is extremely exiting to me. It is also great to know such as diverse group of elite sports people that all have the same passion and drive for sport as I do.
Hobbies and Interests:
In my spare time I love to bake as it helps me unwind from sport and college, plus I get a tasty treat in the end.
Elena Roncarati
- Age: 17
Sporting Background:
I love sports, and get involved with any and every sport possible, however, I am predominantly a middle-distance runner – so I compete in the 1500m and 3000m, but my favourite is the cross-country, and I have competed for Shaftesbury Barnet Harriers for 8 years. I am a decent shot, having done rifle shooting at scouts for years, and I am a good downhill skier, having competed in a few giant slalom races too, but I had never used cross-country skis before, or anything of the sort.
What have you enjoyed most since joining Biathlon?
My favourite part of biathlon is the ability to push my boundaries in mental, physical and technical ways whilst learning new skills.
Favourite hobby:
All things sport.
Ethan Clarke
- Age: 16
Background:
I have been involved in sport since a very young age taking part in sports such as: football, rugby, swimming, alpine skiing and the gym. I became involved with biathlon through the talent ID campaign.
What have you enjoyed most since becoming a Biathlete?
The thing I have enjoyed the most in biathlon is learning how to ski and travelling the world. I have also enjoyed getting to know everyone and their sporting backgrounds.
Hobbies and Interests:
My main hobbies outside of biathlon are: playing on my Xbox and alpine skiing.
Lewis Buchallet
- Age: 15
Background:
My sporting background involves being a keen Triathlete and track/cross-country runner whilst also playing for the local hockey team. With this, I found the Biathlon programme and have been involved for just a few months
What have you enjoyed most since becoming a Biathlete?
I have really enjoyed the camps so far and also learning to roller ski has been really fun and a good challenge for me
Hobbies and Interests:
Outside of Biathlon and my other sports I play, I love to play basketball and learn new music on my Cello.
Lewis Clark
- Age: 18
Background:
I have been doing badminton since I was ten at a club level and have always partaken in various other sports at a more casual level which includes: football, running where I medalled when representing my air cadet squadron in the Bedfordshire and Cambridgeshire wing athletic competition, cycling, swimming, and golf. I came across the talent campaign and thought to give it a go because I have been fascinated with biathlon since I started watching.
What have you enjoyed most since becoming a Biathlete?
The challenge of learning a new skill which in this case is roller skiing and shooting motivates me. I also enjoy that I have to push my limits, physical or psychological, to get the best performance out of myself and this is only possible by the brilliant coaches and the team spirit that is always present.
Hobbies and Interests:
I competed at the England annual regional chess tournament in Year 6 and was the chess captain of my sixth form. I have always played doubles in badminton but have started to move to singles. I also have a strong passion for aircraft because I have the aspiration to be a multi-engine pilot for the RAF one day. I am also a season ticket holder for Luton Town and, I also have now taken up roller skiing which I enjoy very much.
Matthew Chronicle
- Age: 21
Background:
Before joining biathlon I was a long-distance runner, doing 5km up to half-marathons. I switched over to Biathlon after the talent ID program was launched and have loved it ever since. I went to the University of Bath where I studied sport and exercise science. I am now balancing work from home within the NHS and full-time training in Biathlon.
What are your ambitions in the sport?
My long-term career goals are simple: Olympics or bust.
What have you enjoyed most since becoming a Biathlete?
Most of all I have enjoyed the travel around the world. I really do not think any other sport will expose you to as many amazing places.
Why do you love biathlon?
I really enjoy the two opposing elements of the sport, it makes it much more interesting.
Hobbies and Interests:
I still do trail runs regularly, especially with poles which is a great way to train too. I am also a big fan of trying different foods, especially spicy stuff. To relax I enjoy reading and watching films.
Favourite quote:
Only the disciplined in life are free – Eliud Kipchoge
Jack Davis-Black
![PXL_20211004_181949089.PORTRAIT[1]](https://www.britishbiathlon.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/PXL_20211004_181949089.PORTRAIT1-rotated.jpg "PXL_20211004_181949089.PORTRAIT[1]")
- Age: 16
Background:
I have been running long/middle distance on both track and cross country for the past 6 years where I competed on an international level, until I started Biathlon last year which I am now fully committed towards.
What have you enjoyed most since becoming a biathlete?
Since becoming a biathlete I have loved travelling and training with various different people from all over the world. I enjoy the variety of training methods from long endurance skis to yoga or hill intervals. I love pushing myself to the limit and that is exactly what I will do for biathlon.
What have you enjoyed most since becoming a Biathlete?
Since becoming a biathlete I have enjoyed the training aspect the most as it is different from what I normally do but still (at the moment) fits in with my running. I have also met lots of new people on this journey who have been very friendly.
Hobbies and Interests:
Outdoors activities such as hiking, skiing, rock climbing. I also really enjoy running as that was my original sport.
Ollie Hill
- Age: 15
Background:
I’ve been participating in sport for as long as I can remember. I’ve played rugby and ran in athletics since I was very young and recently have started Biathlon through the development campaign. My sporting achievements so far are getting into the development team, playing in a national rugby sevens academy, coming 13th in the national school’s cross-country championship and competing in the national pentathlon championships. I also used to play county cricket and academy football.
What have you enjoyed most since becoming a Biathlete?
Since starting biathlon, I have most enjoyed how easy it was to talk to people on camp and how I made some great friends whilst also learning a new skill.
Hobbies and Interests:
In my spare time I like to play golf and go to the gym with my mates.
Sam Wright
![image0[4]](https://www.britishbiathlon.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/image04-rotated.jpg "image0[4]")
- Age: 15
Background:
My sport has always been mixed between running, cycling and cardio based sports as a whole. I can do a 5-minute mile whilst also having an FTP of 280 Watts at 4.8W/kg. I recently have started Biathlon when the talent programme began earlier this year.
Why do you love biathlon?
Biathlon is such an interesting sport, with a fun element of flying down the hills and shooting, crossed with the extreme difficulty of the hills, it is like no other sport! Just crossing the finish line or completing a difficult session gives you a sense of satisfaction.
What have you enjoyed most since becoming a Biathlete?
I have really enjoyed travelling to amazing countries such as Norway and Germany! Each new place biathlon takes me is an exciting experience!
Hobbies and Interests:
My favourite hobbies include participating in all sports and playing the piano in my free-time.
Shawna Pendry
- Hometown: Font Romeu, France
Background:
I started cross-country skiing when I was 8 years old with my local ski club in France. At 11 years old I started 10m biathlon when I joined my school ski team and at 15 years old I started 50m biathlon. In 2017 I participated for the first time in the British biathlon championships and became Junior Champion. I raced my first international season as a Junior for Great Britain in 2018/2019. My best results and greatest memory of my career so far is 12th in the sprint race at the Youth Olympic Games in 2020. In the season 2020/2021, I also had the honour of racing some senior IBU cups and at the European championships for the first time also while continuing to compete in the junior cups and junior world championships!
In summer 2021 I was diagnosed with a thyroid problem which has hampered my training and racing. However with the support of the BBU and my sports specialist doctor I am hoping to be back at full form for my future seasons.
What have you enjoyed most since becoming a Biathlete?
I love the competition but what makes it so special the teammates that become your second family , the great ambiance and the opportunity to travel to beautiful places.
Hobbies and Interests:
The outdoors is my happy place so you’ll mostly find me there! If I’m not doing biathlon I’ll be doing something else like ski touring, mountain biking or hiking. When I need to chill or if it’s bad weather I’ll probably be doing something creative like cooking or painting or I’ll read (but I am human too so I might also be sleeping or watching TV! )
On the academic side I have started to qualify as a cross country ski instructor within the french system. For the last two years I have been at university studying a sports science course called STAPS.
Titus Clark
- Hometown: Hilmarton: Wiltshire
Background:
I first put rollerskis on in 2017 at Lake Dorney in England. Ive been an alpine skier all my life so the transition wasn’t completely alien to me. I was raised on a farm so my Father taught me to shoot around the age of 7. So these two skills are very natural to me. I lived in Scotland until 2015 and then moved to England for the last 5 years of school. I joined the BNDS (British Nordic Development Squad) in 2018 and competed in sprint races in Bruksvlana (Sweden). Then in March 2019 I was invited to an IBU Future stars event in Oestersund where I met other young biathletes. We competed, played cards and had many lectures about biathlon, nutrition etc. This started the drive for my Biathlon racing. I competed my first full season in 2019/20 doing Junior IBU Cups which I loved so much, met hundreds of new people and made a lot of new friends. During summer 2020, I trained hard with the goal of doing better for 2020/21 season. Sadly all of our races were cancelled due to COVID apart from the Junior World Championships which I successfully qualified for. The season 2021/22 went well, competing in all the races and qualifying for the Junior World Champs again! For the summer of 2022 I have moved to Slovenia where I am training with friends and coaches out here, experiencing the European ways of training first hand hoping to give me a good chance for the up and coming seasons!
Hobbies and Interests:
I inherited a passion for cars from my father and love restoring and driving. Watching F1 gives a great balance.
I’m happiest in good company and love singing although, as everyone knows, there wont be a career in it anytime soon.
Quentin Wedderburn
- Hometown: Cochrane, Canada
Background:
Quentin Wedderburn was born in Scotland and now lives in Cochrane, Canada, just a short commute to his main training ground – Canmore Nordic Centre in the Rocky Mountains.
Quentin has been competing in Biathlon for 3 years with Calgary Biathlon Racers, he is coached by an Olympic Biathlete and has been downhill skiing since he was 4yrs old. Before joining Biathlon Quentin was a successful competitive swimmer and football player.
Quentin’s favourite season is winter which last for approx 6 months in Alberta so he is extremely active and very happy.
Will D'Arcy
![IMG-6680[1]](https://www.britishbiathlon.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/IMG-66801.jpg "IMG-6680[1]")
- Age: 16
Background:
I am originally a cross country runner and a swimmer from around Oxfordshire. I won the National Prep Schools XC title, and also placed 12th in Britain, both being highlights of my sporting achievements. I came 2nd at the National Schools cup, leading my team to 2nd place overall as well. I have also been a swimmer for a number of years, reaching county standard including the finals of the 200m backstroke. Since stopping swimming I’ve been able to focus on my running ‘career’, and also to start biathlon after being selected from the talent campaign.
What have you enjoyed most since becoming a Biathlete?
I’ve loved the fact that biathlon is a new sport for me and a new challenge. It has allowed me to use my endurance fitness from my cross country training in a new way. I’ve also really enjoyed the team spirit surrounding the development squad and getting to know the people I’ve met so far. The improvement we’ve all seen has been really encouraging and it’s been great to progress and see others do so all at the same time. Starting to shoot has been great as well, and is good fun to do as much as possible.
Hobbies and Interests:
Outside of cross country and biathlon, I enjoy playing other sports such as badminton and cricket. I’m currently in my first year of A-levels and like sciences, with a view to study something in the field of sports science at university.
Zara Stewart
![image0[3]](https://www.britishbiathlon.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/image03.jpg "image0[3]")
- Age: 20
Background:
My sporting background is in rowing, having competed since I was 11 winning 2 national medals at the national school’s regatta. Since going to University, I have won 2 BUCS medals and a British indoor U23 medal. I started Biathlon a few months ago after being selected for the campaign.
What have you enjoyed most since becoming a Biathlete?
I have really enjoyed the training for Biathlon – learning to roller ski and seeing how quickly progress can be made has been really exciting. I have also loved learning to shoot having only shot for the first time recently after joining Camberley and Bagshot Rifle Club.
Hobbies and Interests:
My favourite hobby outside Biathlon and Rowing is downhill skiing having skied since I was 4. With this, I am studying a Sports Science Degree at Hartpury University.
BBU Support Staff
Marc Walker
- Role: Performance Team Coach
Scott Dixon
- Role: Development Team Coach
Background:
Scott Dixon is a former biathlete who competed internationally for Great Britian for over 6 years. Retiring from professional competition at the early age of 23, he got into video marketing and now spend most of his time running a media business. Despite the time this occupies, the gravity of biathlon keeps pulling him back to coach the up and coming stars. He is delighted to be the Development Coach for the British Biatlon Union training the next generation of CHAMPIONS!
Iris Pessey
- Role: BBU Programme Manager
George West
- Role: BBU Programme Manager
Background:
My sporting background developed when I was lucky enough to be living in South Africa at a young age. Being outside every single day, playing cricket, football, rugby and swimming, basically anything I could do, I would. On returning to the UK, I focused on more of the common sports through school. I was a keen cricket and rugby player and also gave my hand to cross country running. Playing all the time allowed me to develop my skills, and therefore I was able to play national cricket and rugby. As I got older, my interest switched to the science of sport, and how these elite athletes were able to perform at their level. This led me to studying Sports and Exercise Science (BSc) at Newcastle University where I have just finished my second year of studies. I am now on a placement scheme with the BBU where I will be taking over the operational aspect of some events whilst trying to implement my Sports science knowledge so our athletes can move forward in a very important space.
What have I enjoyed most since joining Biathlon?
I have particularly enjoyed the friendliness and team spirit I saw on the Wales camp. It felt like a nice place to be and hopefully those athletes can carry that on. Furthermore, I have enjoyed watching how the athletes progressed within the five days I was in Wales through technique and data analysis.
Favourite hobby:
I would have to say working out to keep my fitness levels up and on the other hand, I love coffee – trying all the new flavours and different machines interests me.
Holly Rees-Lay
What are your ambitions in the sport?
My ambition is to be the first British Woman to compete at both the summer and winter world university games (I competed at the 2015 summer university games in rifle shooting).
Why do you love Biathlon?
I love the opposing nature of the 2 sports, and that if you’re having a bad shooting day you can channel the frustration into trying to ski faster! I also love getting to train and race in a lot of beautiful locations.
How you feel on the snow?
Normally relaxed and so happy and grateful to be outside on snow in beautiful places, unless it’s super icy, at which point I just feel a fair amount of terror…
BBU Board Members
Major General (Retd) Rob Weighill CBE MA
Background:
After a full year career in the Army, Rob retired in 2016, initially adopting a portfolio of consultancy roles spanning defence and security, resilience, strategic risk and education. In late 2018 he started full time employment with Transport for London, leading the modernisation portfolio of programmes for London Underground, responsible for designing and delivering a reliable, safe, customer orientated and financially sustainable network. In November 2019 he assumed the role of New Trains Programme integration and control lead for Greater Anglia Rail, which is transforming its current service by replacing the entire stock with new trains. He recently changed roles and now leads the Programme Management Office.
Rob’s military career started in the Cold War, serving with artillery regiments in Germany and the UK, included a tour of Northern Ireland and a spell at Sandhurst as an instructor. In the 90s he was employed in a variety of operational, command and staff duty appointments. This included another tour in Northern Ireland and in 1999 deployment to the Balkans with the ARRC as Chief G3, directing NATO’s multi-brigade operations in Macedonia and subsequently in Kosovo. Rob completed a year with the Multinational Security Transition Command in Baghdad in 2007, transforming the Ministry of Interior during the height of the Iraq insurgency. His final tour in the military was with NATO, serving in Joint Force Command Naples both as the Joint Plans Branch Head and Deputy Chief of Staff Plans. In 2011 he led the joint operational level planning for NATO’s intervention into Libya to protect the civilian population and subsequently directed Combined Joint Task Force operations until its conclusion later that year.
Rob has written a book on NATO’s intervention in Libya titled “The Cauldron – NATO’s Campaign in Libya”, released in September 2018 by Hurst Publishers in the UK and Oxford University Press in the US.
Anna Brighton-Watt
Background:
Anna Brighton-Watt served in the Army with the Adjutant General’s Staff Personnel and Support Branch for 7 years and since leaving the Service has been working at Gresham’s School, a leading independent boarding school in North Norfolk with alumni including the composer Benjamin Britten, the poet W.H. Auden, the founder of the Dyson Company, Sir James Dyson and more recently, international rugby players Tom and Ben Youngs and Academy Award winning actor Olivia Colman. Anna is Head of Modern Foreign Languages and Second in Command & Head of the Army Section within the thriving Combined Cadet Force. There is also a highly successful shooting team with GB representation on an annual basis.
Anna was introduced to the sport of Biathlon in her first posting within the Regimental Admin Office of the 1st Battalion the Duke of Wellington’s Regiment, taking the Novice team to the Divisional and Army Championships and then for the 6 subsequent years. She had a stint on the British Biathlon Development Squad and was based between RAF Kinloss/Aviemore in 2007 & 8, and then competed in a couple of European Cup Races before leaving the Army and starting as a teacher in 2010. She has a strong sporting pedigree with her twin brothers being professional tennis players and herself winning the Army Tennis Championships and competing for the Army in Triathlon.
She is delighted to be able to come back into the Biathlon World and to work alongside Elizabeth Winfield and all the members of the board. She is excited about being able to support a more secure financial future for the sport and to give back to a sport which she still remains a firm favourite – her skis still being at the back of her classroom 13 years on.
In her spare time she enjoys spending time on the North Norfolk Coast with her husband, Dan, and her two children, Oscar (8), and Georgie (6).
Carl Carrier
Background:
Carl Carrier initially stood for the board as a Member Elected Director in 2013 and agreed to take on the role of Development Director in 2019.
Carl competed in Biathlon for GBR between 2002 & 2008 on the IBU & World Cup and attended numerous European Championships. Carl was introduced to skiing via the RAF Nordic & Biathlon Team but having never skied before the age of 22 his career was always going to be quite brief. Carl eventually earned his GBR place at the age of 30 and after 6 seasons as a GBR athlete has gone on to coach many athletes in the RAF and even more in his role as the British Nordic Development Squad Pathway Coach and has taken multiple teams to Youth Olympic competitions. As well as dedicating himself to Youth development, Carl is also the BBU Rising Stars Coach bringing through new under 15 athletes into the sport of biathlon.
Roddy Christie
Background:
Roddy spent 12 years in the Army, during which time his sporting focus was alpine ski racing, finishing up as the secretary of Army Alpine and Rob’s deputy. He was introduced to the world of Biathlon by Rob in 2017, coming on board as the Secretary General. Roddy is passionate about all winter sports, especially when they involve skis of any sort! Since starting his biathlon journey, he has certainly got the bug, though has yet to actually incorporate his poor Nordic skiing and adequate shooting at the same time due to profound lack of coordination. Roddy handed over the role of Secretary General to Elizabeth in January 2021 and remains a director.
Sarah Greig
Background:
Sarah was introduced to Nordic skiing and biathlon at university, where she was quickly transformed from an ardent downhill skier to an obsessed cross-country skier! Following a subsequent and gruelling cross country and biathlon gap year with the Highlanders (4th Battalion the Royal Regiment of Scotland) Sarah attended the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst and commissioned into the Adjutant General’s Corps, serving for 14 years in various roles. During this time Sarah captained and then managed the Corps Ski Team and was selected for the National Development Squad for biathlon. She went on to become the Secretary of Army Nordic Skiing, running the British Championships in Ruhpolding, and latterly was the Team Leader for Biathlon at the 2018 Olympic Winter Games in PyeongChang.
Following her time in the Army, Sarah moved to UK Sport as the Performance Investment Manager, in which role she coordinated the recommendations for funding the subsequent Olympic quadrennial, with valuable insight into the workings of several World Class Programmes. A move closer to home in Kent with her husband Will and children Grace (12) and George (10), led to a career change to the education sector and after 3 successful years as the Bursar of Dover College, Sarah has recently moved to be the Bursar at Ashford School. With Child Protection and Safeguarding an integral part of her day job, Sarah has taken the lead in this area for the BBU.
Jock Inkster
Background:
Jock is one of two directors elected onto the Board by the BBU membership. He started racing with the Army in the mid-1970s and qualified as an instructor and coach working with a number of Army unit teams, including TA/reservists some of whom he introduced to the sport. He carried on racing and coaching off and on until the late 1990s when he lost his left leg in an accident.
He had already been earmarked as the Director of Army Nordic Skiing and Exercise RUCKSACK, the British, Inter-Service and Army Championships and he took the post over in 1999 joining the BBU Board as an ex-officio director in 2000. During his time in these appointments, he continued to be a staunch supporter of participation by Territorial Army/reservist units as a way to spread the sport amongst civilians. He served in the post and on the Board until 2002 when he was posted to Africa.
After retiring from the military in Kenya in 2008, Jock eventually returned from Africa and with a strong wish to put more back into a sport from which he had gained so much, rejoined the BBU family being elected back onto the Board at the AGM in 2019. He began a second two-year term after re-election this year.
Jock’s primary role is ensuring the interests of the membership are represented at Board meetings. He has drafted the Terms of Reference for the Board and is particularly driven both to maintain as much British representation at the highest levels possible and to grow Biathlon as a sport in the UK. He liaises with clubs in Scotland and his next special task is to head up an initiative to establish BBU proficiency awards and formal coaching qualifications.
Andy Millar
Background:
Andrew Miller is a serving Army officer who commissioned in 2014. Since then he has served with 3 RIFLES, 1 RIFLES and Strategic Command in a variety of command and staff roles. Operational deployments include Sierra Leone and Afghanistan.
Andrew became involved in Biathlon as a Platoon Commander, taking a small team away on an Army season. After repeating this several times, Andrew progressed to became the Infantry Nordic Secretary in 2017. In this role he oversaw three rotations of the Infantry training camp and Championships. In mid-2020 he took on the role of Army Nordic Secretary, an appointment he continues to hold today.
At the BBU AGM 2020, Andrew was successfully appointed as a Member Elected Director. Within the BBU he sits on the Athlete Selection Panel as a non-voting member and supports low-level BBU/Army integration as well as representing member views to the board.
Away from the Army and Biathlon, Andrew is first and foremost a hockey player with experience of coaching and playing at national level.
At home, Andrew is married to Yvanna and they have a Labrador called Hamish.
He can be contacted via nordic@awsa.org
Elizabeth Sedgwick
Background:
A serving Army officer, Elizabeth was first exposed to Biathlon as an officer cadet with London University’s Officer Training Corps in 2000, and immediately fell in love. 21 years on she is still passionate about the sport, having enjoyed many seasons as a competitor, team captain and event official at Army delivered competitions and the National Championships. She still enjoys racing whenever she can be released to compete, even though she is somewhat more ‘mature’ than the other female athletes!
Identifying the benefits that cross-country skiing and biathlon can bring to the military community Elizabeth has committed herself to exposing the sport to the soldiers she has served with. A season of training and preparing for biathlon races has never not had a beneficial impact on a novice competitor, and Elizabeth is passionate about harnessing this energy for future generations of soldiers and young officers.
Currently serving in a liaison role with the French Army, Elizabeth will return to UK in 2022 to take command of a Royal Logistic Corps Regiment. She is very much looking forward to the opportunity to once again introduce novices to biathlon and, of course, compete herself.
Elizabeth Winfield
Background:
Elizabeth Winfield served with the Royal Logistic Corps for 18 years and has now transitioned into civilian life to find new ways to give back to the military community and follow her passion in Winter Sports. Currently running her own business, Elizabeth finds time to support the local Combined Cadet Force as the Contingent Commander and reach out to the wider charity sector in the sports environment.
Within the Biathlon World she has competed, coached and managed Teams, including the British Biathlon Team in 2007-2008. She has most recently developed and delivered the first ever Para Nordic Ski Team for Great Britain and ran the Paralympic Inspiration Programme in 2018. She is the Chief Operations Officer for the Armed Forces Para Snowsport Team and hopes to bring all her knowledge, experience and energy to the new role as Secretary General of the British Biathlon Union.
Beyond the demands of all these roles, Elizabeth is married to her very understanding husband Chris, with three Children, Olivia, George and James. They enjoy adventures as a family that take them cycling and kayaking around the UK.
Ben Freer
Background:
Ben Freer is a Chartered Accountant and currently specialises in providing financial due diligence in relation to corporate M&A transactions.
Ben has long had a special affinity with winter sports, a passion that was ignited by the Olympic Winter Games at Salt Lake City in 2002. Ever since then he has been an avid recreational alpine skier whilst keenly following the nordic disciplines on television. But, it is Biathlon that has enchanted him more than any other sport and that he follows most keenly, almost never missing a World Cup race!
Outside of work, Ben and his wife, Rosanna, compete at international level in the equestrian discipline of driving, having represented Great Britain at five World Championships since 2013 and winning both individual and team medals.
