Naughton army cadets Keely Mirka, John Colwell, and Michael Lochschmidt are among the 18 regional biathlon champions gearing up for a trip east to represent Ontario's Central Region in the 2010 National Cadet Biathlon Championship.
The four members of 2964 Royal Canadian Army Cadet Corps depart March 13 for CFB Valcartier, Que. for the week-long meet, competing against cadet teams from across Canada.
The cadets will compete individually in cross-country skiing races up to eight kilometres long. Three times during each race, the participants enter the rifle range for five rounds of prone rifle marksmanship. Later in the week, male and female three-member teams will compete in 16-kilometer relay races, including two bouts of five-to-eight rounds of prone marksmanship for each member.
Biathlon couples the rigorous sport of cross-country skiing with the mental and physical discipline required for small-bore rifle marksmanship. Marksmanship and biathlon are two of the more popular activities for sea, army, and air cadets.
The Canadian cadet program is Canada's premier national youth organization for boys and girls aged 12-18, sponsored by the Department of National Defence/Canadian Forces in partnership with the civilian Navy, Army Cadet and Air Cadet Leagues of Canada. There is no cost to join and uniforms are provided.
