Biathlon Club Work Day
On Saturday, October 24th at 10 am, we will be having a club work day. We have some things to finish up with target frame assembly, lane markers, wind flags, etc… Lots of drilling and wrenching to be done, and many hands would be appreciated. Kudos to Wade Pearson for all of his diligent work on the range thus far making sure it is set up to standards. We may start a little early if it looks like the rain forecast is creeping up. Keep an eye out on Facebook. A couple of us will certainly be there to get things set up early regardless.
Our youth training program is transitioning into the winter season with regular practices on Friday late afternoons 4-5:30 and Sunday afternoons 1-3. The biathlon venue will be open on Sundays (and many times on Fridays unless the group is skiing) for members who want to get some independent time in. Just be aware that there will be coaching going on dedicated for the youth. Even if you just want to come check it out, you are welcome to stop by and watch!
November 3rd at 6 pm – Fall Meeting will be held at the Hayward Curling Club. Join us to talk about our winter plans. We do have open positions for the board, and will be nominating at least one person to join the board – Dan Novitch. All TBC members are eligible to vote and run for open board positions, and can self nominate from the floor on the day of the meeting. If you are interested in joining our energetic board, please reply back.
Here is the bio for Dan: “Dan and his wife Kristen moved to the Cable area in September 2025. Dan has skied most of his life and got involved in Nordic ski racing 10-15 years ago when his two sons started skiing on the Wausau Night Gliders middle school cross country ski team. He has skate skied and classic skied the American Birkebeiner, completed four Kortelopets, and many Great Bear Chase races including the Great Bear Chase Skiathalon. Besides skiing Dan enjoys snowshoeing, canoeing and canoe camping, biking, hunting, and fishing. [When he is not involved in some type of outdoor recreation, Dan works with his veterinary consulting business – Taqu Ka’aq Veterinary Consulting.] Dan served for many years on the City of Merrill Parks and Recreation Commission and is currently on the Board of Directors for Lutheran Indian Ministries.”
Volunteer needs – we can use your help in a few very specific areas.
First need – We need US Biathlon Range Safety Officers. These are people whose role is to observe people using the biathlon venue making sure US biathlon safety standards are being followed. The process has a lot of steps, but is not complex. Even people who aren’t experienced biathletes are welcome to become RSOs and support the club. The process looks like this:
1) US Biathlon Coach or Official Member in good standing. (TBC will waive your annual TBC membership for RSOs who volunteer for 4 or more sessions a year).
2) Basic rifle safety certifie.d
4) Safe Sport up to date (provided for free from US Biathlon through https://safesporttrained.org/#/signup-form).
5) Complete online RSO course via The Center https://center.usbiathlon.org (https://center.usbiathlon.org/).
6) Watch training session https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Lm9PGC85JSZYFCdX649Q-MShJPEA7W_n/view?usp=sharing
7) Email coaches@usbiathlon.org letting them know you have completed training and wish to be certified.
8) May be requested to pass an in person evaluation from a certified assessor
Second need – we will need people able to assist with various roles for our winter regional biathlon races taking place on Dec 12 and 13, 11am-4 pm. Whether you can assist with timing, directing athletes where to go, sweeping the mats off to clear the ejected rounds during the race, we can use your help! You can sign up to volunteer here: https://telemarkbiathlon.org/tbc-regional-race-day-volunteer-opportunities/
As always, reach out with any questions, and if you would like to be removed from this email list, please reply back and let us know.
Matt Wheeler, TBC president
Posted October 21, 2026 at 10:20 am
