Dear Biathlon Family Australia,

Thanks to Darcie Morton, Phoenix Sparke, and Noah Bradford, Australia finished IBU Season 2024-25 ranked 26th (Women) and 32nd (Men) on the World Cup Nations Cup Score. Four or more quota positions were awarded to nations which finished in the top 20 World Cup Nations Cups Score. Nations with four or more quota spots for both Men and Women included Canada (16th Women, 20th Men) and USA (19th Women, 12th Men). That means between now and 18 Jan 26, when the Olympic Winter Games (OWG) qualification period ends, Australia is eligible to be allocated up to a maximum of two quota places for both Men and Women (enough for a Mixed Relay Team).

The Australian Olympic Committee (AOC) has supported Biathlon Australia over the decades in the lead up to Olympic Winter Games, Asian Games, Winter Youth Olympic Games and qualification events and camps. Towards OWG 2026 qualification, the AOC has provided significant High-Performance (HP) Funding for a third year in a row. The funding is directed towards athletes that provide Australia with the best chance of qualifying to compete at their best at the 2026 Milano-Cortina Olympic Winter Games.

In 2023-24 the funding was directed to Darcie Morton and Noah Bradford who were our only two athletes to qualify and represent Australia at the 2024 Biathlon World Championships (2024 pinnacle biathlon event). In 2024-25 Boris Stanish was also identified as an athlete with potential beyond IBU Cup and he joined Darcie and Noah in receiving AOC HP funding for the last IBU season. In 2025-26 Phoenix Sparke (2025 World Championships) and Damika Morton have joined the list of our athletes supported with AOC HP funding. National Team athletes benefiting from AOC HP funding this upcoming IBU season 2025-26 include:

• Darcie Morton, 99.22 IBU Q Points (2023, 2024, and 2025 WCHs)
• Phoenix Sparke, 133.04 IBU Q points (2025 WCHs)
• Damika Morton, 189.24 IBU Q Points (AUS #2 world ranked female)
• Noah Bradford, 202.29 IBU Q Points (2024 and 2025 WCHs)
• Boris Stanish, 217.22 IBU Q Points (2024 AUS Champ with 2024 PB 163.78 IBU Q points)

Together with the AOC, the Biathlon Australia Board is committed to the Biathlon program goal of sending athletes to Milano-Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games and Paralympic Games. Biathlon Australia is also looking forward to the day where AUS can qualify an OWG Mixed Relay (MR) team composed of two (2) male and two (2) female athletes. Biathlon Australia’s qualification and nomination criteria for Milano Cortina 2026 can be found here: https://www.biathlonaustralia.com.au/national-team/milano-cortina-2026

Congratulations to Darcie, Phoenix, Damika, Noah, and Boris on receiving AOC High Performance recognition for IBU season 2025-26. We look forward to continue to support all our high-performance athletes on their Olympic, Paralympic, and other biathlon pathways.

#ForzaTeamAUS

David, Sandy, Brett, Libby, Katerina, Kate, Mark, and Murray