National Junior Biathlon Team Training in Colorado

Sat, Jul  7, 2007 - By US Biathlon Association

New Gloucester, ME, July 5. Six members of the National Junior Team are in the midst of a two-week high altitude training camp in Colorado.

The group, all from Minnesota are, are testing their limits under the direction of Coach Vladimir Cervenka who commented, “One must train harder and more than the competition if you wish to succeed.” With that statement in mind, the group that includes Mark Johnson, Wynn Roberts, Leif Nordgren, Ellen Anderson, Addie Byrne, and Brynden Manbeck logged 32 hours of training at over 9000 feet in their first full week after acclimation.

Among the challenges, they conquered were hikes up two of Colorado’s 14’ers, Greys and Torris, and an 80-mile mountain bike ride from Granby to Rollins Pass. The group also roller skied twice from Breckenridge to Vail Pass and been working on their shooting at Snow Mountain Ranch. Cervenka commented on the rugged training regime, “A high volume training camp at high altitude proves that this group can train hard under these conditions, while adding to their base for the coming season. We met our goals for the camp, which were to push to the next level and get high volume training.”

Cervenka also praised the help his group received from the Colorado Biathlon Club for the use of their facilities and the added help from long-time biathlon supporter Mark Miner in Grand Rapids, MN.

The United States Biathlon Association is the National Governing Body for the sport of biathlon in the United States as recognized by the United States Olympic Committee and the International Biathlon Union. The US Biathlon Association supports the US Biathlon Team and development of the sport on all levels within the United States.

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