Hakkinen in Fourth OWG

The US Team roster includes Overall World Cup leader Tim Burke, Jay Hakkinen, Jeremy Teela, Lowell Bailey and Wynn Roberts.  Hakkinen will compete in his fourth OWG, while Teela will be in his third; Burke and Bailey competed in Torino, while Roberts made his first team. The US women nominated for Vancouver are Haley Johnson, Laura Spector, Sara Studebaker, and Lanny Barnes. Barnes competed in Torino, while the other women will be in their first OWG.

 In the Canadian trials, 21-year old Rosanna Crawford took the final position on the Women’s squad as Zina Kocher previously mentioned in the last "Road" article.

Canadian Men’s Relay Team

Although the Canadians only have one start for men, they found out late last month that they will get a relay start. Robin Clegg will be on that team and thus compete in his third OWG. He will team with Jean Philippe Leguellec, Marc Andre Bedard, and Brendan Green in the Vancouver Relay.

 Tough Medicine

Canadian Coach Geret Coyne commented on having only one start for the host country in the Olympic Winter Games. “It is tough medicine to have only one start for men. We understood the process going in and truly believed we are better than we showed, but in the future we have to be better at the right time. That is the lesson for us in the future. However, I am pretty proud of how all of the men stuck with the fight and stayed with the program this year. There was the outside chance that one of them could take the spot from JP in December. They could have given up, but did not. It is unfortunate, but I am happy we will get that one start and now have a relay start. That is a big bonus.”

 Chief of Stadium at Whistler Olympic Park

Noel Charchuk of Calgary, Canada is working this week as the IBU International Referee for Shooting Range at the Ruhpolding World Cup. However in a few short weeks, Charchuk will be working as Chief of Stadium for the Olympic Biathlon competitions at Whistler Olympic Park. He is also the Head of Officials for Biathlon Canada.

 Positive Effect on Biathlon Canada

With the Games fast approaching, he commented on the positive effects the 2010 Olympic Winter Games will have on biathlon in his country. “There are two important things about these Games that will have long-term effects. First and most importantly is the fact that the Whistler Olympic Park venue will continue to be available and function after the Games end. Secondly, we have trained about 350 new officials over the past three years in the Squamish and Vancouver areas that will be available to conduct future major events. Those officials have really stepped up, going from the basics to being able to work at almost every task needed for a competition. Accordingly, now our Alberta Cup competitions for example are now conducted at a level very close to what is needed for a World Cup. I think that is a great advantage for Biathlon Canada as we go forward.”

 Regarding the biathlon stadium at Whistler Olympic Park that the world will see in just under a month, he added, “It is very compact, with actually just over 41 meters from shooting point one to the perimeter fence just past the competition building. It makes it just a bit tight to work in, but the layout will be great for spectators as they will have great views of the athletes skiing past them. At the same time, since the stadium is in such a great area, it will present biathlon to the world on a beautiful stage.”

 1988 and 2010

Charchuk was also an official at the 1988 Olympic Winter Games in Calgary. He sees little difference in how the competitions will be conducted, “very professionally,” but that the sport has much greater audience and importance worldwide now.

 A short video interview with the veteran IBU and Canadian official follows.