Blackhawk Masters Biathlon - Winter 2025/26 Overview

[Ian Olson]

Hi Masters Biathletes,

Updates below on practices, races, and requirements for participation for the upcoming Winter 25/26 season.

Winter Masters Practices

• Masters practices this fall have been Wednesday evenings from 5:30-7pm.
• Starting on Tuesday, November 4th, Masters practices will move to Tuesday evenings from 7-8:30pm, for the remainder of the winter season.

Race Schedule

Registration

• For WI events, register on Webscorer.
• Registration isn't open for most races yet; I'll also send out links and reminders.
• For USA Masters Nationals, register on SkiReg via the Ariens website.
• For MN events, register on the Minnesota Biathlon website.

Schedule

WI Races	Other Races
NOVEMBER
9  Sun   Blackhawk (running race)
	30 Sun  Mt Itasca
DECEMBER
	6-7 Sat-Sun  Mt Itasca Regional
13 Sat  Ariens
14 Sun  Blackhawk
	27-31 Sat-Wed  USBA Trials Lk Placid, NY
JANUARY
	4 Sun  Elk River
11 Sun  Ariens
17-18 Sat-Sun  Blackhawk Regional
	25 Sun  Elk River
FEBRUARY
13-15 Fri-Sun  Ariens USA Master Championship
	28 Sat  Duluth
MARCH
1  Sun  Blackhawk	1 Sun  Duluth
7-8 Sat-Sun  Ariens Regional Championship
	15 Sun  Mt Itasca
	26-31 Thu-Tue USBA National Champs Soho Utah

Reminders on requirements to participate in Biathlon

• Rifle Safety
• Rifle Safety is required to participate in any biathlon practice or race.
• The new Rifle Safety process, introduced last season, replaces the old Red Book safety certification. Even if you had a Red Book, you will need to complete the new Rifle Safety training.
• First, complete the Basic Rifle Safety course on the US Biathlon website.
• Then, set up time with a Safety Assessor to complete the Rifle Safety Assessment.
• I'm a Rifle Safety Assessor, so feel free to reach out to me if you need to complete this step. 
• USBA Membership
• An active US Biathlon Competitor or Coach membership is required to participate in any biathlon practice or race.
• The USBA membership in part provides insurance that makes it possible for us to compete in this shooting sport.
• Note that earlier this year, USBA updated the membership period for Biathlon memberships to begin on July 1 and end on June 30 each year.
• Blackhawk Membership
• An active Full Access or Limited Access Blackhawk Ski Club membership is required to participate in practice or otherwise use the Blackhawk facility outside of an official race.
• Renew your membership here if needed.
• Blackhawk Masters Biathlon Program
• A $100/season Program fee is now expected to participate in Masters practice and/or open (ad hoc) Masters time trials at Blackhawk during the winter.
• This fee will help to cover costs at the range, including wear and tear and planned range improvements.
• You can find the Biathlon -- Adult - Tuesdays 7pm - 830 pm Program listed on the Programs Registration tab on the website where you renew your Blackhawk membership.

Let me know if you have any questions.

Looking forward to seeing you on the range this winter!

-Ian