The IBU NORTH AMERICAN SUMMER BIATHLON CHAMPIONSHIPS held in Jerico, Vermont, August 25th – 28th, 2011, were shortened from a 3-day event to two because of the bad weather which hit the Northeast US this past weekend. However beautiful weather prevailed Friday and Saturday at the ETHAN ALLEN BIATHLON range located just outside Burlington on the National Guard base.
Friday's race was a 4KM sprint for men and a 3km for women, On the male side Doug Hoover of the Pennsylvania Biathlon Club missing only two of the ten targets and finisher 1st in a time of
18:38. He was followed by Colorado National Guardsman Robert Killan, who shot 5, only 4 seconds behind Hoover.
Third place went to Mike Gibson of the Vermont Biathlon Club, He ran 18:58 and missed two targets. .
The women were led by Hilary Saucy of the Pennsylvania Biathlon Club. She equaled Doug's shooting with eight hits and a time of 18:40. Emily Shertzer stationed at Fort Indiantown Gap and competing for the Pennsylvania Guard captured second place in 18:59 despite missing all ten targets. Alexsandra Zakrewaska of Vermont Biathlon took 3rd in 19:09 shooting targets.
Other standouts from Pennsylvania were Ann Sick of Millville who captured the
( 50+ ) victory and Stephanie Saucy of Harleysville was third in the masters group. .
Matt Stern of the Pennsylvania National Guard finished 18th while Alden Sims of the Pennsylvania Biathlon Club took 19th. Both were in the Senior division. Scott Sick placed 2nd in the Grandmaster, 27th overall. Along with John Sims at 30th, Ian Saucy, 35th, James Adams (PA. National Guard) in 49th, followed by Frank Gaval in 52nd. .
Saturday's competition was much tougher with large hills and a 7km course for men and a 6km for women, plus 4 shooting stops, Doug Hoover, Williamsburg, Pa, had a hard time in the range hitting only 8 of 20, placing him 10th. Alden Sims of Venus, Pa took 21st followed by Guardsman Matt Stern 23rd. In 30th was Scott Sick of Millville with John Sims and Frank Gaval, 28th and 51st. .
Emily Shertzer finished second again while Ann Sick moved up to capture 3rd. Hilary Saucy was forth and her mother Stephanie finished in eleventh.
The State of Pennsylvania was well represented with 11 biathletes doing very well. For complete results-
http://biathlon.teamusa.org/news/2011/09/01/summer-biathlon-championships-final-results/44428
