RCACC 2806 Pointe-Claire (RMR) takes Silver at Regional Biathlon Championship
Author: Captain John Wylie, Unit Public Affairs Representative, RCACC 2806 Pointe-Claire (RMR)
Valcartier, QC – 11 February 2024: The Cadet Regional Biathlon Championship for Montreal was held at the Centre de biathlon Myriam Bédard located at CFB Valcartier from January 28, 2024 to January 29, 2024. There were a total of 47 competitors from five different cadet corps and squadrons from the Island of Montreal competing for a chance to move onto the provincial championships scheduled for the weekend of February 17-18.
This was the first year that RCACC 2806 Pointe-Claire sent cadets to this competition. This year’s team was made up of Warrant Officer Lu and Chief Warrant Officer Gismondi who were competing, in the Open Boys 4.5 km Sprint and the Open Girls 4.5 km Sprint, respectively.
For Warrant Officer Lu this was his first time competing in a biathlon competition, and getting to use the .22 calibre Anschütz biathlon target rifle, which was the case for many of this year’s participants. Despite being disqualified for leaving his bolt closed when leaving the range, Warrant Officer Lu remained positive about the experience. “I think this is a really good opportunity for cadets to train their mind to never give up. I fell a lot during the race especially during the downhill [parts], but what was important was that [I] always stood up and finished the race.”
RCACC 2806’s second competitor, Chief Warrant Officer Gismondi, fared better, finishing in 2nd place in the Open Girls 4.5 km sprint. Despite qualifying for the provincial championship, this was her final biathlon competition as a cadet as she will be turning 19 years old and “ageing out” of the army cadet program before that. However, she too, focused on the positives from the experience. “It was an awesome opportunity […] to meet and compete with a bunch of amazing people who also share the same determination to learning and trying new things.”