Third Winter Biathlon takes to trails

Mammoth Mountain Ski Area, Tamarack Cross Country Ski Center, the U.S. Forest Service, Town of Mammoth Lakes, Mammoth Police Department, Mammoth Nordic and the Eastern Sierra Nordic Ski Association present the 3rd Annual Mammoth Winter Biathlon, which takes to the snow March 28.

Most recently seen by many during the Vancouver 2010 Olympics, the Biathlon combines cross-country ski racing and rifle shooting. Race Director Dr. Michael Karch says this year’s Biathlon “should prove to be better than ever.” No prior shooting experience is needed; however basic cross-country ski skills are required to race. Biathlon-specific .22 rifles, ammunition and targets are provided.

This year’s race will feature a biathlon shooting clinic offered the day before the race (Saturday, March 27) with live firing instruction, taught by world-class biathletes, including Glen Jobe and Tom McElroy, both of whom are 1980 biathlete Olympians, Marc Sheppard, Team USA biathlete and owner of Altius Handcrafted Biathlon Firearms from West Yellowstone, MT, Katja and Petra Ivanova, World Cup biathletes from the country of Belarus, and Phil Violet, NCAA XC ski champion.

Both the race and clinics will occur at Tamarack Ski Center, beginning at the Pack Station and covering the Lake Mary and Pine City/Lucky Strike loops.  The biathlon is open for ages 8 to 99 and spectators are welcome. The Biathlon will serve as the opening event for the first annual “Mammoth Nordic Festival Week.” In addition to the Biathlon race and clinics, major events the week of March 27-April 4 will include a Mammoth Nordic dinner at Pokonobe lodge and the Mammoth Half- and Full-Skate Marathons.

Registration for the event and another (dry firing) clinic will be offered Saturday evening at the Mammoth Ski Museum, featuring additional informal small group instruction by the instructors.  Wine, beer and pizza will be available at the museum beginning at 5:30 p.m. Bib pickup will occur at this location as well. Last chance registration for the race is at 8:15 a.m. on Sunday at Tamarack Lodge.

The race is set to begin Sunday at 9 a.m. sharp with multiple waves of racers including a featured elite wave with the clinic instructor athletes. Beginners are encouraged to race rather than watch. Beginner, intermediate and advanced race courses are offered. Public transportation will run from Mammoth Middle School to Tamarack beginning at 7:30 a.m. and back again at 1:30 p.m., as parking is restricted at Tamarack. As always, both personal and environmental safety will be emphasized. The shooting range will be supervised by both the Mammoth Lakes Police Department and the U.S. Forest Service.

Immediately following the conclusion of the race, stick around for an award ceremony with medals (Gold, Silver, and Bronze) in each sanctioned age category on the Pokonobe Lodge deck, with commanding views of the Sierra Crest and the awe-inspiring Lake Mary in the foreground. Gourmet chefs Marci Satterfield of Wilderness Catering and Jo Vroman will serve hot homemade soup and bread in large cauldrons, as well as Norwegian pancakes and traditional Scandanavian Blabarssoppa Vasaloppssoppan (Blueberry soup of the long ski race).

Immediately following lunch, the group will take down the Biathlon course (community barn-raising style) and end the day with some good old fashioned hard work!

“Just do it,” encourages Karch. “I know you will have a great time learning this fantastic sport!”

Check official sponsor MMSA’s site at www.MammothMountain.com or the Eastern Sierra Nordic Ski Association at www.esnsa.org for race application and details.

SAT Test Prep Class is back!

SAT time will be here before you know it, but one great way for students to sharpen their skills is to take Mammoth Lakes Academy’s Scholastic Aptitude Test Reasoning Prep Class, back by popular demand for a third big year!

The class helps boost skills and your scores with insight into the mathematics section, recognizing and correcting grammatical errors, increasing reading comprehension and how to strategically take the SAT tests. Course includes 16 hours of instruction (2 sessions, 8 hours each), SAT practice materials with tons of sample questions, strategy tips, confidence boosters, small group sizes and individualized feedback.

Class is scheduled during the weekend of March 27-28, from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. daily with an hour break for lunch.

Remember: the higher your SAT scores, the better your college admission opportunities. Spring SAT dates are May 1 and June 5. Make sure you’re prepared. Enrollment in the prep class is limited; register now by contacting Trip Armstrong at 760.709.1210. Tuition: $350/student.

More info: http://mammothlakesacademy.org.