P.E.I. biathlete competes for national team spot

Carsen Campbell of South Bedeque is in competition to keep his spot on the national biathlon youth team.

The 18-year-old Campbell was on the national team last year, but has to re-qualify to keep his position.

"If you continue to make teams then it's a lot easier to make teams in the future and then eventually a World Cup and on from there," he said.

"If I didn't make this team it wouldn't be the end of the world."

Campbell skied and shot his way to a first-place finish in Saturday's race, but slipped to second in the rankings after Sunday's race. There will be one final qualifying race Tuesday.

Campbell said racing is something he is driven to do.

"It's a lot of hard work and racing really hurts. It's nasty and it doesn't feel very good at the time," he said.

"A lot of people wouldn't want anything to do with it, but it's just the way I am, I guess."

Campbell said he'll continue to follow his biathlon dream, even if he doesn't make this year's team. He is being helped out with a $10,000 training grant through a Schick Sports contest.