For the second time this year, Whitehorse biathlete Nadia Moser will compete for Canada in Europe.
The 19-year-old secured a position on Canada’s team bound for International Biathlon Union Cup events next month in Europe with strong performances at Biathlon Canada National Team Trials last week in Canmore, Alta.
“I’m pretty excited,” said Moser. “I think if I can race like I did in these past trials I’ll be all right.”
Moser placed second for junior women in the 7.5-kilometre individual race last Wednesday at the team trials. She then took first place for junior women the next day in a second 7.5-kilometre individual race. In the two races she placed seventh and sixth overall including open women. Both days she shot nine out of 10 at the range.
“They were all right. The first day it was pretty slushy and warm. I think it was like 15 degrees, so it was hard skiing,” said Moser. “The next day it was much better, the snow was a lot harder.”
Moser will now compete at the IBU Cup 2 in Ridnaun-Val Ridanna, Italy Dec. 9-11 and then the IBU Cup 3 in Obertilliach, Austria Dec. 15-17.
Her goal is, “to race as best as I can. Nothing too specific right now because it’ll only be my second time racing in Europe,” said Moser. “I’m not really sure what to expect.”
Moser twice skied and shot into the top 25 for youth women at her first IBU Youth/Junior World Championships in Romania last January.
At the IBC Cup events she will be competing in the open women division though she still has this season and next season as junior.
“(Moser) and another junior, Megan Banks, have had a great season of training, really stepped up, and we’re going to give them that opportunity to race in the IBU Cup, a step above, to see what they can do,” said Biathlon Canada high performance director Eric de Nys. “An incentive to compete there is, if they achieve a certain result, they can solidify themselves for carding criteria, which would give them more financial support next season.”
A strong performance by Moser would likely land her a spot on Canada’s team at the next junior worlds this February in Ostrov, Russia, added de Nys.
Moser captured Yukon’s first-ever medal in biathlon at the 2015 Canada Winter Games, eventually leaving with a silver and two bronze. She was the only Yukon athlete to win three medals at the Games. She pulled off a similar feat the previous year at the 2014 Arctic Winter Games, coming away as the only athlete on the entire Yukon team to capture three gold.
Moser, who is originally from Atlin, B.C. and moved to Whitehorse for high school, trains full-time at the Biathlon Alberta Training Centre in Canmore.
“It’s really good. I really enjoy it,” said Moser. “We train all year round, so like roller skiing, running, shooting — everything to prepare for winter.”
Contact Tom Patrick at tomp@yukon-news.com