Aroostook County to Host
2014 Youth/Junior Biathlon
World Championships
Upwards of 350 of the world’s top biathletes, under the
age of 21, from more than 30 countries are expected to be
in Aroostook County for the 2014 IBU Youth/Junior Biathlon World Championships that will run between February
28 and March 7, 2014. The venue is the Nordic Heritage
Center in Presque Isle.
Biathlon, the premiere winter sport in Europe, combines cross country skiing with rifle marksmanship. The
Youth and Junior World Championships are the most
important event of the year for young biathletes.
Last held at the Nordic Heritage Center in 2006, the
world championships have tested young athletes overseas
in the past few years in Sweden, Finland, Austria and other
countries, and seven years after the Nordic Heritage Center
hosted their first championship, the event is returning to
Maine/U.S. soil.
Whether traveling from within The County or from
much further distances, it is an event that is worth coming
to see, according to Jane Towle, event director for the 2014
Presque Isle Youth and Junior World Biathlon Championships.
“It’s a tremendously exciting sport to watch! Nordic
skiers push themselves to their physical limit on the ski
trail and then enter the shooting range, slow their heart
rate down within seconds and shoot a target the size of a
silver dollar with exacting skills,” said Towle.
Towle had the opportunity to travel to Obertilliach,
Austria in February 2013, along with a few other members
of the organizing committee, to not only observe the world
championships but to be presented the ceremonial flag
from the International Biathlon Union (IBU), signifying
the passing of the event from Obertilliach to Presque Isle.
“The IBU is very comfortable with us hosting a world
championship, because they’ve seen the kind of events
we’re able to produce with an unpaid volunteer workgroup.
We got to see what went right with their event, what could
have gone better, and hopefully we can learn from any
mistakes that were made to host the best ever Junior World
Championships,” said Towle.
The Presque Isle delegation enjoyed watching the
competitions in Obertilliach, and they were treated to an
impressive and surprising performance by the U.S. team.
The U.S. team came home with a gold medal and two silver
medals, which is one of the greatest
achievements in U.S. biathlon history.
Left: Sean Doherty of Center Conway, NH
was named the 2013 IBU Youth Pursuit World
Champion in the last year’s championships
held in Obertlliach, Austria. The 17-year-old
also won silver in the sprint competition.
Sean Doherty photos courtsey
of NordicFocus.
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WINTER 2014
Below: Jane Towle addresses the crowd during the championships in Obertilliach, Austria.
Towle and Presque Isle event consultant Max
Saenger accepted the ceremonial flag from
the International Biathlon Union.