Photos from Jericho: 2012 North American Invitational

I'm finally back in Fort Kent after a long hiatus. I think I left here sometime around the 17th of November so it's been a while. This morning we skied up at 10th Mountain and it was awesome so I'm really looking forward to the NorAm Cup here this coming weekend. It should be really great!

Here are some photos from last weekend courtesy of Kal Husain....the father of one of the MWSC Development Team biathletes. Thank you Kal!

The Ethan Allen Biathlon Club had everything ready to go despite the thin snow conditions earlier in the week. The National Guard came through with snow making and lots of work in the stadium. 

Getting ready to head out in the sprint: something must not be tucked in just right...

Out of the start...

Prone in the mass start....it was really cold!

Leaving the range during the mass start...

Oh yes...the penalty loop. Skied that more than I would have liked to this weekend but shooting in the wind will do that!

Putting my poles back on as I leave the range again....

Heading for the finish...

Check back later this week for pictures and updates from Fort Kent....conditions are great up here so it should be a really good weekend!

More races...Jericho, VT Edition:

Today was our second race in the North American Invitational series here in Jericho. I finished second in the senior women's race with some fast skiing but less than stellar shooting. Hopefully tomorrow I'll have my breakthrough on the range here and shoot well for a change! But second is still pretty good...I shouldn't complain. 

Yesterday we had some very interesting weather: rain first thing, lots of gusty wind all day and then heavy snow starting in the afternoon and continuing through the night. The race yesterday morning was rough, to be kind. I missed 7 total, fighting wind the entire race. I skied fast though, putting me across the line in third place despite taking the worst shooting of the race. Again, a podium finish and I should not complain. 

This morning's race was much colder with the high temperature during our race climbing only into the high single digits. I may have underestimated the cold and worn less than I should have....yes, rookie mistake, I know. My hands got really cold by about the time I came into the range for my first standing stage and were pretty much frozen by my second standing shooting. I paid for it on the penalty loop but I've learned my lesson. Tomorrow, for our final race: the mass start, I will be properly dressed and much warmer even though the temperatures are supposed to be colder still. 

After the race tomorrow I'll head to northern Maine, where we have our next races on the MWSC biathlon team's home trails in Fort Kent at 10th Mountain. Check back soon for an update after tomorrow's race and hopefully some photos from here in Jericho.