Biathlon athletes named to Team BC
The Biathlon athletes who will travel to Red Deer, Alberta to compete for Team BC have now been named. Biathlon BC hosted trials for the 2019 Canada Winter Games at the North American Cup 2 in Canmore, AB on December 8-9, 2018.
After two days of racing, athletes were ranked based on the average of their percentage results from the two competitions. A total of fifteen racers competed in the junior men category with seven athletes from British Columbia competing for three of the four available spots as Ryan Elden was pre-qualified (having accepted a spot on the International Biathlon Union (IBU) Junior Cup Tour 1 with Biathlon Canada).
In addition, a total eleven female racers competed in the junior women category with six athletes from British Columbia competing for two of the four available spots, as Larissa Black and Gillian Gowling were also pre-qualified as part of the IBU Junior Cup tour 1 with Biathlon Canada.
“The 2019 Canada Winter Games will be an exciting time for Team BC Athletes, Coaches and Support Staff as they all strive for excellence at the pinnacle event of multi-sport Competitions in Canada. I know Team BC will be well prepared and the experiences and friendships that everyone will gain will last a life time,” said Tony Fiala, VP of Programs, Biathlon BC.
Tony Fiala is a three-time Olympian in biathlon (1992,1994,1998) and was head coach for the 1999 Canada Winter Games Biathlon Team.
The Biathlon competition at the 2019 Canada Winter Games will take place in Red Deer, Alberta from February 15-22, 2019.
2019 Canada Winter Games – Biathlon Team
- Ryan Elden (Whistler Nordic Development Centre)
- Andrei Secu (Whistler Nordic Development Centre)
- Keiran Marchand (Whistler Nordic Development Centre)
- Ethan Algra(Snow Sport Academy – partnership between Vernon School District and Sovereign Lake Nordic Club)
- Larissa Black (Whistler Nordic Development Centre)
- Gillian Gowling (Whistler Nordic Development Centre)
- Danica Ariano (Snow Sport Academy – partnership between Vernon School District and Sovereign Lake Nordic Club)
- Natalie Benoit (Telemark Nordic Club)
- Cole Bender – alternate (Omineca Ski Club)
- Kira Friesen – alternate (Telemark Nordic Club)
Team Coaches Jessica Blenkarn and Clayton Whitman will be supported by Team Manager Lynn Algra and Wax Technician Ron Metza.
About Team BC
Team BC brings together the best athletes, coaches, managers, and mission staff to represent British Columbia at the Canada Summer and Winter Games. Team BC will send a delegation of 320 athletes, coaches, managers, and mission staff to represent British Columbia at the 2019 Canada Winter Games in Red Deer, Feb. 15 to March 3. Visit www.teambc.org for the latest news and updates.
About the Canada Games
The Canada Games are a national multi-sport competition with participation from every province and territory in Canada. The Games are held every two years, alternating between winter and summer. The 2019 Canada Winter Games will be held February 15 to March 3 in Red Deer, bringing together approximately 3600 athletes, coaches, and managers from every province and territory to compete in 19 sports. Visit www.canadagames.ca to learn more.
Contact
Judy Joseph Black
Team BC Communications Manager
BC Games Society
E: judyjb@bcgames.org
W: 250-356-8765
C: 250-812-7189