The Western Hemisphere Security Initiative came into effect 3 weeks
ago and caught me off guard. I had just been to Canada the week prior
when a driver's license was fine. Now a driver's license alone is no
longer good enough for re-entry. I was hoping to race in Canada this
weekend but my passport has not been returned (it was supposed to have
been) and I am unable to locate my original birth certificate. Without
either of these documents I will be able to enter Canada but not
re-enter the US. I have withdrawn from the NorAm Cup race in La Patrie
to avoid any border crossing headaches. My paperwork should be in
order by next weekend's race in ValCartier, Quebec.
I am disappointed to be unableto support those who support me. The support of my sponsors allows me to participate and I feel I owe them the best representation I can
give back to them. Missing an event bums me out. I'll find a silver
lining, make lemonade, choose your analogy and I'll soon get over the
disappointment of missing the race. The sting of missing out on an
opportunity to support my sponsors at a race really hurts and will
stick around for a while. I am most disappointed for my lack of
preparedness. I guess I took the ability to move about the world for
granted. I had thought I had taken the proper amount of time for
passport renewal according to the government estimates. I can blame the
feds but ultimately I should have been more prepared and submitted my
renewal sooner.
I sent an email to the equipment sponsors filling them in on my missing the race and they were all very gracious about it. If you get a chance visit the websites of my sponsors. Here are the links:
Fiocchi ammunition www.fiocchiusa.com
GoFaster boots and bindings, Ski Trab www.moresnow.com
Izhmash rifle www.raacfirearms.com
The Ford Sayre Silver Foxtrot 10k freestyle race is this Saturday 2/23 and I think I'll burn off my frustration and gain some more insight into ski racing at the event.
Enjoy the weekend and stay warm, Kevin
Friday, February 22, 2008
Monday, February 18, 2008
Lake Placid NorAm #5
Just returned from Lake Placid NorAm #5. Overall the races went well.
Saturday's Sprint 10k was held in, I think, below legal temps. It was -10 at the
start and warmed to -5 or so at the finish. They delayed the start to
look like they cared but it didn't matter. The two best analogies I
heard about the conditions were "skiing on sandpaper and velcro" and
the snow on the shaded hillsides was so cold and dry you could almost
classic up with parallel skis. It was more efficient to run the hills
then try to skate them. The overnight temps were -20 and the snow
didn't warm up at all. My face was so cold I couldn't feel the rifle
cheek comb. I have never shot in temps so low and the wind chill on my
face going downhill must have been -30 or -40. I greased the hell out of my earlobes,
nose and cheeks so no damage but they were all numb. I had a hard time
speaking as my cheeks were stiff and I couldn't annunciate too
well.Trying to find the normal rifle feel I pushed the comb too hard
and sent my shots right. I'm a lefty so the pivot around the trigger
moves the muzzle right. I didn't shoot as well as I'd have liked. I'm
better then the results show and cold weather aside I am a bit
disappointed in my performance on the range. I finished 5th in age
group less then 1 second out of 4th spot.
Sunday it was warmer, maybe +15 but the wind was ripping. Flat calm w/
30+ mph gusts and blowing snow on the range made shooting not hard but
extremely difficult and frustrating. Skiing into the wind was like
going uphill. The poles swung wildly and one gust grabbed my ski and
pushed it into a V-board marking the P-loop and almost caused me to
crash. I think the wind actually pushed me back up! I was a 50%
shooting effort which I was told fantastic considering the conditions.
I spoke w/ 2 former Olympians and they shot worse than I did! There
were only 5 clean stops from all competitors all day. My zero was set
neutral and I waited for a lull to set it. Since I was set no wind in
a lull I just shoot and don't have to make adjustments. My prone went
well and the first offhand was in a blinding windstorm. It was
difficult to hold the rifle remotely steady. Out of a sense of pride I
didn't just "machine gun" the targets to sent the lead and save time
waiting. Get to the P-loop and get going. I couldn't do it although
the last shot I just sent and got out. Deb mentioned the feeling of not wanting to quit on the range but mentioned it is a race and if the wind is going to hurt you send
the lead and get skiing. Maybe next time. I finished 4th in age and the overall results were not published when we left.
Off to Canada next weekend and I'll send a report when I get home.
Kevin
Saturday's Sprint 10k was held in, I think, below legal temps. It was -10 at the
start and warmed to -5 or so at the finish. They delayed the start to
look like they cared but it didn't matter. The two best analogies I
heard about the conditions were "skiing on sandpaper and velcro" and
the snow on the shaded hillsides was so cold and dry you could almost
classic up with parallel skis. It was more efficient to run the hills
then try to skate them. The overnight temps were -20 and the snow
didn't warm up at all. My face was so cold I couldn't feel the rifle
cheek comb. I have never shot in temps so low and the wind chill on my
face going downhill must have been -30 or -40. I greased the hell out of my earlobes,
nose and cheeks so no damage but they were all numb. I had a hard time
speaking as my cheeks were stiff and I couldn't annunciate too
well.Trying to find the normal rifle feel I pushed the comb too hard
and sent my shots right. I'm a lefty so the pivot around the trigger
moves the muzzle right. I didn't shoot as well as I'd have liked. I'm
better then the results show and cold weather aside I am a bit
disappointed in my performance on the range. I finished 5th in age
group less then 1 second out of 4th spot.
Sunday it was warmer, maybe +15 but the wind was ripping. Flat calm w/
30+ mph gusts and blowing snow on the range made shooting not hard but
extremely difficult and frustrating. Skiing into the wind was like
going uphill. The poles swung wildly and one gust grabbed my ski and
pushed it into a V-board marking the P-loop and almost caused me to
crash. I think the wind actually pushed me back up! I was a 50%
shooting effort which I was told fantastic considering the conditions.
I spoke w/ 2 former Olympians and they shot worse than I did! There
were only 5 clean stops from all competitors all day. My zero was set
neutral and I waited for a lull to set it. Since I was set no wind in
a lull I just shoot and don't have to make adjustments. My prone went
well and the first offhand was in a blinding windstorm. It was
difficult to hold the rifle remotely steady. Out of a sense of pride I
didn't just "machine gun" the targets to sent the lead and save time
waiting. Get to the P-loop and get going. I couldn't do it although
the last shot I just sent and got out. Deb mentioned the feeling of not wanting to quit on the range but mentioned it is a race and if the wind is going to hurt you send
the lead and get skiing. Maybe next time. I finished 4th in age and the overall results were not published when we left.
Off to Canada next weekend and I'll send a report when I get home.
Kevin
Tuesday, February 12, 2008
Welcome
Welcome to the Blog for 6Q Biathlon. My hope is you find this site entertaining and informative. The hope is I will find the time to update the content on a regular basis. I am unable to commit to regular or what the content is going to be. Most of the content will be about my experience being a 42 year old self-employed husband and father of two children who tries to compete in the manic depressive sport of biathlon.
With luck and an effort from me, readers will find the content interesting and inspire them to take up this fascinating sport or just sport in any way.
For additional information on biathlon or what the heck is 6Q please visit the website at www.6qbiathlon.com
Take care, Kevin
With luck and an effort from me, readers will find the content interesting and inspire them to take up this fascinating sport or just sport in any way.
For additional information on biathlon or what the heck is 6Q please visit the website at www.6qbiathlon.com
Take care, Kevin
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