MUNGO EATS Latin America

Yesterday, the final biathlon race of the year was held at COP.  It was a Kinder Cup Race.  Kinder Cup is a race series developed to get new biathletes interested in competing.  The races are usually shorter, and the emphasis is put on fun, rather than serious racing.  Younger biathletes are encouraged to race in this series.  Even non-biathletes can give it a try if they wish.  The races are really there to encourage participation in the sport. 

Sean raced yesterday, but so did Sara.  A girl from Sara’s grade, in her school, trains with Sean’s team and Sara thought it would be fun if they competed in a race together, as a team.  Sara did take a biathlon course many years ago, 4 or 5 at least, but has not shot since that time.  She asked the girls’ biathlon coach if she could shoot one night this week, just to get a little practice.  I think she took 10 or 15 shots that night. 

There were 3 events at the Kinder Cup.  First, there was a sprint race.  This was an individual event.  Each kid started individually, and had to ski 3 loops and shoot at the range twice (5 shots per visit to the range).  Just before the race started, Sara found out that she had to shoot on small targets instead of the large targets she had practiced on earlier in the week.  She was not impressed.  Still she did her best.  We told her that even if she missed all her targets, she could likely ski faster than most of the kids there.  Turns out she did not miss all her shots, she shot 3 out of 5 each time in the range.  That shooting, along with her speed, allowed her to secure first place!!!  First place?  For a gal that has shot 10 0r 15 shots in the past 5 years??  Crazy!!

The second race was the relay.  This was a super short race.  The skiers skied directly to the range, shot their five shots, did any penalty loops dictated by how they shot and then skied a short loop back to the start where they tagged their partners.  This is the race that Sara did with Hayley.  Well, just as in the previous race, her speed made up for her shooting, and in Hayley’s case, her shooting made up for her slower speed.  The two of them combined forces to finish third on the podium.

The final competition was a sharp shooting competition.   Did you think I was going to tell you that Sara ended up on the podium in this category as well??  Did you forget the part where she only shot 10 or 15 shots in the past 5 years??  She was out in the first round!!! 

Still, a podium finish in 2 out of 3 races, is quite amazing for a girl who is not a biathlete.  These results left Sara wondering if she was barking up the wrong sports tree.  She has NEVER won a gold medal in a ski event, many silvers and bronzes, but never gold.  Luckily, it is the end of the ski season, she has the summer to ponder which route her athletic career will take.  Whatever she decides, we will support her.  We have even suggested she try a little of both next year and see what she thinks.  Wait and see.  For not she can relax and enjoy the gold and bronze!!

Way to go Sara!!