ASC TRAINING CENTER ALPINE – BIATHLON – NORDIC – SNOWBOARD
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT BIATHLON
HOW DO I JOIN ASC BIATHLON? To join the ASC Biathlon Program, you must first complete an Intro to Biathlon Clinic where you will learn the basics of biathlon marksmanship and what is expected in terms of safety on our range. Upon completion of the clinic, you will be eligible to join either our Devo or Novice Masters biathlon teams (depending on your age). These teams offer more in depth coaching and development of not only your shooting, but skiing technique and overall fitness.
I'VE NEVER SHOT A RIFLE BEFORE. CAN I JOIN THE TEAM? Yes, you may! You must still go through the process of joining the team listed above, but no prior shooting experience is required.
I'VE NEVER CROSS COUNTRY SKIED BEFORE. CAN I JOIN THE TEAM? Having little to no skiing background will make your involvement in biathlon difficult. Marksmanship is such a detailed and complex sport, it will be difficult to learn shooting and skiing at the same time. There is also a safety component to factor in; someone who is not competent skiing with a rifle is a danger to everyone on the team. Our suggestion is to take a season and commit to refining your ski technique before considering biathlon.
I HAVE A 'GUN'. CAN I USE IT ON THE BIATHLON RANGE? Only Biathlon-specific .22 caliber rifles are permitted on the biathlon range.
MY CHILD IS INTERESTED IN BIATHLON. WHAT ARE MY OPTIONS? This is great to hear! At ASC we value rifle safety above all else. For new members we spend the first few months really driving home the importance of safety and developing good habits while shooting. Our Devo Biathlon Team is designed to establish the foundation for later biathlon success, while our Comp team is designed to take high school athletes to the national and even international level. In the short history of this team we’ve had three athletes qualify for Junior World Championships and one athlete represent the USA at Youth Olympic Games. The ASC Biathlon Program’s goal is to provide the resources for motivated athletes to achieve their potential.
ASC TRAINING CENTER P.O. BOX 729, SODA SPRINGS, CA 95728 (530) 426-3313 WWW.ASCTRAININGCENTER.ORG ASC TRAINING CENTER ALPINE – BIATHLON – NORDIC – SNOWBOARD
I AM AN ADULT WHO IS INTERESTED IN TRYING BIATHLON. WHAT ARE MY OPTIONS? Most of our biathlon team is actually adults ages 30 and up, our oldest member being 79! ‘Master’ Athletes, as they’re called, who are interested in trying biathlon are welcome to join us for an intro clinic or participate in the novice category at any of our races. Those interested in joining the team must first complete an intro clinic and have sufficient skate skiing technique. Even at the masters level, we prepare athletes for competition. In 2019 ASC had 13 masters athletes represent the USA at Winter World Masters Games in Austria. Whether you have aspirations of national/international competition or goals of improving your results at our local races, personal improvement and development should be a driving motivation.
WHERE CAN I GET MORE INFO ABOUT BIATHLON? US Biathlon Association International Biathlon Union
WHERE CAN I BUY A BIATHLON RIFLE AND BIATHLON PARTS/EQUIPMENT? Altius Firearms – West Yellowstone, MT Nordic Marksman – Nova Scotia, Canada
ASC TRAINING CENTER P.O. BOX 729, SODA SPRINGS, CA 95728 (530) 426-3313 WWW.ASCTRAININGCENTER.ORG