Over 40 cadets from eight cadet corps and squadrons in the Kootenays met in Cranbrook on Saturday, Apr. 11, for the Kootenay Zone Cadet Biathlon Competition.

The event took place at the 44th Engineer Squadron Armoury, where cadets completed a one km run, a five-target shoot, one km, a second five-target shoot, followed by a final one km to finish covering a total distance of three kms.

Cadets aged 12-18 years competed in age-based categories, with participants from Nelson, Trail, Golden, Invermere, Creston, Cranbrook, Sparwood and Fernie. While several cadets were returning competitors from last year’s event, for others this was their first cadet biathlon experience.

Each corps or squadron was able to have up to 12 participants; all compete as individuals.

The cadets who finish in first place for their category have their scores go to the provincial level to determine who places at the provincial level.

The fastest time came from Cadet Ryder LeBlanc from Nelson with a run time of 20:05.7, with his total time coming to 21:05.7 after shooting penalties.

In total, three cadets shot a perfect shot, meaning out of 10 targets, all 10 were knocked down. Those cadets were Cdt Hudson Rawles from 279 RCACS Sparwood, Cdt Oliver Turnau from 2757 RCACC Fernie, and Cdt Cheyanne Hayton from 2756 RCACC Invermere.

Junior Female category:

1st Cdt Rachel McLaren, 1746 RCACC Creston

2nd Cdt Rosealynn Phelps, 2756 RCACC Invermere

3rd Cdt Manya Rade, 1746 RCACC Creston

Junior Male category:

1st Cdt Oliver King, 2757 RCACC Fernie

2nd Cdt William Vandersteen, 279 RCACS Sparwood

3rd Cdt Tyler Denny, 531 RCACS Trail

Senior Female category:

1st Cdt Kalianna Verge, 2756 RCACC Invermere

2nd Cdt Cheyanne Haton, 2756 RCACC Invermere

3rd Cdt Vaishvi Rade, 1746 RCACC Creston

Senior Male category:

1st Cdt Benjamin Kippan, 3066 RCACC Golden

2nd Cdt Ewan Dunfield, 2757 RCACC Fernie

3rd Cdt Oliver Turnau, 2757 RCACC FernieYouth Male category:

1st Cdt Ryder LeBlanc, 561 RCACS Nelson

2nd Cdt Baxter Grisdale, 3066 RCACC Golden

3rd Cdt Ryan Wolfenden, 3066 RCACC Golden

“The display of sportsmanship among the cadets is amazing to see,” said Captain Sherri Shaw, Zone Training Officer for the Kootenays. “The cadets get to participate and be part of the support to the event by learning various roles and responsibilities that make the competition successful.”

“This experience was phenomenal. It is my first year in cadets and I am really enjoying what it has to offer,” said Cdt Oliver Turnau from 2757 RCACC in Fernie.

The cadet program is open to all youth ages 12-18, and covers leadership, teamwork, discipline, community service, and a range of hands-on activities such as biathlon, marksmanship, and music.

Learn more and join the program.

All the units in the competition meet weekly in their local communities.

New cadets are welcome at any time. Cadets are between the ages of 12 and 18. New cadets can start their application HERE.

Adults who would like to volunteer with the squadron are also welcome.

The Cadet Program is open to all Canadian youth from the ages of 12 to 18 regardless of income, race, religion, culture or other socio-economic factors. The program embraces Canada’s multiculturalism and offers young Canadian’s opportunities to interact with youth from other cultures.

During the summer the cadets can attend summer training at locations across the country.

Lead image: Pictured are the cadets who placed in the Kootenay Zone Biathlon Competition, left to right: Front Row: Viashvi Rade, Manya Rade, Kalianna Verge, Cheyanne Hayton, Rachel McLaren, Rosealynn Phelps, Oliver King. Rear Row: William Vandersteen, Tyler Denny, Baxter Grisdale, Ryder LeBlanc, Ryan Wolfenden, Benjamin Kippan, Ewan Dunfield and Oliver Turnau. Photo submitted

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