National Cadet Biathlon Championships hit Brookvale

Cadets from across Canada are in Brookvale, P.E.I.to take part in the National Cadet Biathlon Championships.

Biathlon is an event which combines cross-country skiing and rifle shooting.

About 130 cadets will take part in fourdays of competition. They had to qualify in order to participate.

"We've got some of the best young people that are representing their provinces," saidCapt.Scott Nixon, aregional training officer for biathlon.

"The idea is to ski as fast and hard as you can, come into the range, calm down and shoot as accurately as you can," he said.

'Speed, stamina and endurance'

This is the second consecutive year the championship is being hosted atMark Arendz Provincial Ski Park.

Paralympian Arendzstarted biathlon thanks to the cadet program when he was involved in the cadet corps in Cornwall, P.E.I.

"Speed, stamina and endurance, those are the threemain things you need in a biathlete," saidNathan Scott, a member of the P.E.I. team.

Scott said it's great to take part in a national competition and see really strong athletes from across the country.

"It's incredible seeing them," he said.

"Some of the teams here, they're taught by Olympic athletes and they train year-round,"

Jessica Feliciano, of the Saskatchewan team, said she is new to the sport it's her first time at thenationals but she enjoys competing.

"It's a task, but it's really fun," said Feliciano.

She said for her, it's all about focusing up to go as fast as possible.

Sport growing

Nixon says the sport is becoming more popular.

"Historically biathlon has been a military sport, and it's existed quite some time that way," he said.

"It's grown over the years and now it's quite a large activity."

Nixon said competitors range in age from 12-18 years old.

Closing ceremonies take place on March 9.

More P.E.I. news