August 28, 2008 (Canmore, AB) – It is a great honor for Biathlon Alberta, Biathlon Canada, and the Canmore Nordic Centre to host the first major international biathlon event in Canmore since the 1994 World Cup and the 1992 World Junior Championships. The Canmore Nordic Centre is a world class facility that has recently undergone a major upgrade and we are excited to share it with the world’s future biathlon stars. The 2009 Junior and Youth World Championships are scheduled for Jan 25 to Feb 3, 2009 at the Canmore Nordic Centre with races on January 28, 29, 31, February 1, and 3. We need your help to ensure a successful event.

Biathlon requires a balance of strength, speed, and calm. The countless hours of hard work and training put in by competitors will be honored in Canmore as volunteers strive to put on the most successful Youth and Junior World Championship to date. We look forward to welcoming the athletes, coaches, and spectators of the world to Canmore from January 25th through to February 3rd.

This is a very exciting opportunity to heighten the general awareness of biathlon in Alberta. Ultimately, it is the kids in the sport who should benefit the most. Some will compete in this event. Most will have the opportunity to participate in a high level biathlon competition for the first time, perhaps as a volunteer, or perhaps as a spectator.

Organizationally, the responsibilities of the organizing committee have been divided between two sub-committees: the Competition Committee and the Logistics Committee. The responsibilities of the Competition Committee focus on the races and deal with functions such as timing, range, course, penalty loop, start, finish, etc. Volunteer requirements will be similar to those for the North American/Calforex Cup races that are held in Canmore every year. The plan is to provide Official’s training for volunteers in this area later this year.

The responsibilities of the Logistics Committee focus on the areas of public relations/media, financial/marketing, transportation, accommodation/food services/spectator services, accreditation/security, hosting/VIP/interpreting, medical, ceremonies/liaison/cultural, volunteer administration, and facility operations/maintenance/technical service. The Logistics Chairperson, Ken Davies, is working with the coordinators for the various areas of responsibility to define their volunteer needs.

Nancy Andrews and I are handling the function of Volunteer Administration. As a first step, we are compiling a list of people willing to commit their time to this event, and, as the needs of the functional areas are defined, we will be working with the coordinators to staff each area. If you are willing to volunteer, please respond to me at the following email address: wunderdj@shaw.ca. Please indicate three areas of preference or expertise, if applicable.

Noel Charchuk has forwarded to me the names of people who responded to an earlier call for volunteers. If you have already indicated your willingness to help, there is no need to respond to this message.

Please let me know if you have any questions.

Thanks,

Dave Wunderlich