National Championship Success

14 EGBC athletes participated in the 18 – 20 July Biathlon Australia National Championships race 1 and 2. EGBC’s contingent made up nearly half of all the competitors with everyone achieving age group podium results. Congratulations team Hotham Biathlon.

On Saturday for the Sprint style competition, which involves x1 Prone and x1 Standing shoot, athletes had blue skies, firm tracks and fast snow conditions but also some strong, gusty wind which was really quite cold and tricky to deal with. This made for varied results on the shooting range and a high chance for top results for those who could shoot well. This proved the case in the Men’s open where Noah Bradford shot 0, 0 (Clean) to win ahead of Boris Stanish 1, 3, even though Boris skied over a minute quicker in the 10 km sprint.

Congratulations to EGBC’s own Isabella Moon in winning the Open Women’s Sprint ahead of Biathlon Australia Director Katrina Paul (in her first Biathlon race) and third place Ava McCann (2024 Youth Olympian). Hotham Biathlon team member Bridget Harvey was 4th overall Woman and 2nd under 21 in what was her first event after recent surgery; well done Bridget.

On Sunday athletes contested an Individual competition which meant time penalties for missed shots rather that a penalty lap. It also meant four visits to the shooting range. Fortunately the wind had blown out and conditions were relatively perfect with no wind and firm, fast, but a little wet and warming snow. EGBC athletes made a clean sweep of the Youth Women’s event again with Hotham Biathlon team members Rosie Franzke 1st, Thea Harvey 2nd and Chilli Sparke 3rd podiuming on both days.

Ian Franzke was the outstanding Master winning both days and putting together some good skiing and shooting to show his daughters that he is really improving by following them here and there in training. Well done Ian and a big thank you for supporting Biathlon Australia in the role of Chief of Course and setting up and marking the tracks each day.

Bethany Franzke continues to show her significant talent with some fast skiing. Bethany placed 2nd in the U14 Women’s sprint and followed this up with a first in the Individual event. Keep up the great effort Bethany.

EGBC team Hotham Biathlon member Alberto Allan was the U16 Men’s champion each day and show cased some of the fastest skiing and best shooting on each day. Alberto continues to apply himself to a World class standard and we look forward to continuing to support him in his journey to become one of the best of the best.

EGBC athletes Caren and Sapphire placed 1st and 2nd each day in the U16 Women’s, show casing the next generation of up and coming talent.

A big call out to Deborah Stephens who achieved the most improved master award for racing after returning from touring Africa. Deborah achieved 2nd in her masters age category.

We can now look forward to the next championship weekend on 9 and 10 August which will also feature the Australian Biathlon Para championships and our very own Matthew Brumby. Matthew is currently training at the Snow Farm in NZ and will join our Hotham Biathlon program on 5 August. Matthew is looking forward to supporting new para athletes who participate in the event for the first time as Australia’s only Para Biathlon World Cup athlete and our EGBC Para Biathlon Project Officer. As part of this role Matty is looking to run a come and experience biathlon event later in the season for All Abilities athletes. Keep up the great work Matt.