Biathlon Australia – Weekly Newsletter- What’s On!
National Championships Weekend Brings Athletes Together
While challenging snow conditions meant the 2026 Biathlon Australia National Championships couldn't be held in their traditional format, the weekend was still a great success thanks to the adaptability and enthusiasm of everyone involved.
Rather than cancelling the event, organisers pivoted to a series of fun races and shooting challenges across both Saturday and Sunday. The modified program kept athletes on snow and most importantly, enjoying the opportunity to train and compete together.
The weekend also followed a successful National Team training camp led by Biathlon Australia Head coach Ana, where athletes made the most of the available conditions through skiing, dry-fire sessions, mobility, strength and technique training.
National Team athlete Seb Packer-Smith reflected on the week:
"We had a great time on the National Team camp being coached by Ana. Despite the limited snow conditions, we were able to train well and everyone improved dramatically. We worked on everything from mobility and core to threshold sessions, technique and dry-firing.
Having Ana coach again really brought together the sense of a team. Most of us train by ourselves for much of the year, so it was great to come back together, train as a group and catch up. Ana adapted brilliantly to the conditions, changing sessions when needed and making the most of every opportunity.
The races this weekend were also loads of fun. The relay was a real highlight and brought everyone together, from brand new athletes through to our Masters competitors. Everyone embraced the format, and all the athletes and officials were so positive. It was a fantastic weekend."
The week also included a successful Masters Camp, with participants making the most of the available snow while continuing to develop their skiing and shooting skills under the guidance of coach Toscha Stoppar.
Masters athlete, Ro Packer summed up the week perfectly:
"It's been a sensational week. Toscha has provided high-quality coaching with lots of new skills and knowledge from her IBU coaching training. The weather was initially difficult, and the lack of snow was potentially a problem, however the team of Paul Connor, Greg the groomer, Ana, Toscha, and plenty of shovelling from the Masters meant the range and surrounding trails held together remarkably well. We really learnt a lot this year and our skills improved. The camaraderie amongst the Masters crew was fantastic."
A huge thank you to Ana, Dyllan, Toscha, Paul and all the volunteers, officials, and supporters who adapted the program at short notice. While the weather didn't cooperate, the weekend was a great reminder that the strength of Australian biathlon lies in its community and its ability to make the most of every opportunity.
School Holiday Programs Make the Most of a Challenging Winter
While this winter has presented its fair share of challenges, our school holiday programs proved that a lack of snow doesn't mean a lack of fun.
Coach Julia Smusz led a successful school holiday program at Perisher, adapting the schedule to make the most of the conditions. With limited snow available at the start of the week, participants headed out on snowshoe adventures each morning before travelling to the Jindabyne Biathlon and Roller Ski Centre for afternoon shooting sessions. As the snow improved later in the week, the group was able to enjoy cross-country skiing in the mornings before returning to Jindabyne in the afternoons, giving participants a chance to develop both their skiing and shooting skills.
At Mount Hotham, coach Toscha Stoppar led the Future Stars Camp, supported by Range Officer Paul Connor, with coaching assistance from Robert Findlay and Andy Cullen-Croake. The camp focused on introducing junior athletes to biathlon in a fun and supportive environment.
Participants spent the week building further confidence on skis, learning safe shooting techniques, and developing new skills through a variety of activities. The camp wrapped up with some friendly races, giving everyone the opportunity to put what they had learned into practice.
A huge thank you goes to all of the coaches, volunteers, parents and supporters who helped make both programs possible. Their flexibility, enthusiasm and willingness to adapt ensured that young athletes still enjoyed a fantastic week of biathlon despite the challenging snow conditions.
Coaches Progress Through IBU Pathways
With the support of IBU, Biathlon Australia is committed to developing coaches at every level, and it has been great to see several members of the Australian coaching community continuing their education through the International Biathlon Union's coaching pathways.
Julia Smusz has continued her coaching development, recently completing her IBU Level 1 Coaching Course and Part 1 of the IBU Para Coaching Course. She is set to complete the second part of the Para coaching qualification later this year, further expanding her knowledge to support athletes across all areas of the sport.
Heather Wiederkehr has completed Part 1 of the IBU Level 1 Coaching Course and is on track to finish the qualification later this year.
Congratulations to Cameron Morton, who has recently completed the IBU Level 2 Coaching Course, adding another internationally recognised qualification to his experience in biathlon.
Congratulations to Julia, Cameron and Heather on their commitment to developing their coaching skills. Ongoing education and professional development are an important part of building a stronger coaching pathway and supporting the continued growth of biathlon in Australia.
Reminders:
IBU registration required for IBU Oceania Regional Event
Please remember all junior, youth and open athletes must be registered in IBU to race in the races in August.Deadline the registration must be completed by 24th July.
New registration will have received an email from IBU for you to complete.If you have not received this email and need to be registered contract Sandra 0425769395 ASAP
Expression of Interest: IBU Para Biathlon Camp 2026
Biathlon Australia is seeking Expressions of Interest from athletes interested in attending the IBU Para Biathlon Camp in Oberhof, Germany.
Camp dates: 25 September to 2 October 2026
The camp is designed for developing athletes with limited or no high-level Para Biathlon competition experience.
Each National Federation may nominate:
- Up to two athletes/guides
- One coach
The IBU will cover accommodation and meals for confirmed participants and provide travel support for each athlete/guide.
The Organising Committee in Oberhof, together with FIS, is also planning to conduct physical impairment (PI) classification during or immediately following the camp. Further information will be provided once confirmed.
Biathlon Australia is also exploring opportunities to extend the trip through a potential Para partnership training camp. More information will be shared if this opportunity progresses.
If you are interested in attending, please submit your Expression of Interest to Biathlon Australia by Sunday 27 July 2026 to allow time for registrations to be completed before the IBU deadline.
If you have any questions, please get in touch with Biathlon Australia.
