![Title Image: About Cadets](/web/20061206185013im_/http://www.cadets.ca/about-nous/header_e.jpg)
Biathlon
The combination of cross-country skiing and firing of rifle requires
not only endurance and strength, but also tremendous skill and precision.
Unpredictable elements like weather and wind conditions make this sport a
fun and rewarding challenge that thousands of cadets participate in each
year.
![Photo: Beginning of race at 2001 National Cadet Biathlon Championship in Canmore, Alberta](/web/20061206185013im_/http://www.cadets.ca/images/biathlon1.jpg)
Biathlon is a sport that enhances all aspects of cadet training from
the development of leadership and sense of responsibility to becoming
physically fit and promoting teamwork.
Biathlon is a directed optional training program for all cadets (ages 12 to
18) across the country. Cadet corps and squadrons are provided with rifles and
ammunition for local training, and have access to regional loan pools for additional
equipment such as skis and poles. Each year, cadets compete in a series of competitions:
- local or area championship (January)
- provincial or regional championship (February)
- national championship (March)
![Photo: Military Partol at 2001 National Cadet Biathlon Championship in Canmore, Alberta](/web/20061206185013im_/http://www.cadets.ca/images/biathlon3.jpg)
Cadet biathletes compete in the following series of individual and team
races over a distance of five to eight kms depending on their gender:
- individual race (male 8km and female 6km)
- sprint race (male 6km and female 5km)
- relay race (5km)
- patrol race (5km).
The cadet biathlon program is very successful and has produced several
world class biathletes such as Canadian Olympians Myriam Bédard and Nikki
Keddie.
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