Paintball biathlon at Mountain Top
Toolbox
Published: January 13, 2009
CHITTENDEN — The fourth annual Mountain Top Inn/Tippman Paintball Biathlon will be held at Mountain Top Nordic Center on the evening of Jan. 24, and all day on Jan. 25. Paintball biathlon combines the sports of Nordic skiing and target shooting with paintball markers. Unlike traditional biathlon, where competitors are penalized for missing the targets by skiing a penalty lap, skiers in paintball biathlon are rewarded with time deductions for each target they hit.
Depending on their age, skiers ski one-to-four laps around either a 1K or 1.5K loop. Midway through each lap, the skiers visit the shooting range where identically sighted Tippmann 98 Custom Paintball markers (guns) await them. They take five shots at five different 8-inch paper-plate targets before skiing off for another lap.
Last year's race attracted more than 240 racers from across New England.
"This unique event was one of the largest biathlon competitions ever held in North America, and a great way to develop grass-root interest in the sport of biathlon," said Max Cobb, Executive Director of the U.S. Biathlon Association.
Race classes this year range from NENSA Bill Koch League lollypopper skiers (age 5), through adult. Adult and high school classes will race under the lights on the evening of Jan. 24 and youth classes will race on Jan. 25.
To enter and/or obtain up-to-date start-time information, contact Mary Anne Levins at jmalevins@verizon.net.
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