November 27, 2009 (West Yellowstone, MT) – The synergy possible when two Nordic sports train in one venue is no more apparent than the biathlon races at West Yellowstone every year. Each year the Festival offers a “Try Biathlon” clinic. No previous biathlon or shooting experience is necessary. Then skiers have a rare opportunity to try a race, and many took advantage of it.

Seven novice women and 22 novice men entered Wednesday’s event, sponsored by Altius Handcrafted Firearms. Ranging in age from 12 to 65, the skiers tried their marksmanship and skate speed on the 3km course. Alice Flanders, of Minneapolis, MN was first for the Novice Women, and Riis Wilbrecht, from Jackson Hole, WY, was first in the Novice Men’s event.

Meanwhile, the elite biathletes were vying for points and the few spots left on the U.S.B.A. Olympic Team. 2002 Olympian Dan Campbell took the win with just two misses in the range, closely followed by Mark Johnson and Casey Simons, with three misses, on the men’s 10km Open event. And for the women, Addie Byrne, Mt. Itasca, MN, won with just two misses prone, finishing ahead of former Dartmouth College racer, Hannah Dreissigacker in the women’s 7.5km Open race.

Full results can be found here.