The Whistler Nordic Development Centre (WNDC) plans to support 18 new high performance biathletes for the 2021/22 season.
Of the athletes being supported by the WNDC, 11 have been selected for the full-time podium and performance program, three will be joining the team for the summer months and four are a part of the new Next Gen Program that works in cooperation with the Sea to Sky Nordics club.
The collaboration between the Nordics club and the WNDC allows athletes aged 16 and up to use and benefit from the centre’s performance services and train with the team while still going to school.
With the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing approaching quickly, head coach Etienne Letondeur believes this is a great opportunity for the young athletes to gain experience they can put toward their future Olympic goals.
“We are extremely lucky to have world class venues to train on every day. Once we can travel and compete again, we can show how much our team has grown,” said Letondeur in a WNDC press release.
“Our athletes are a bit too young to go to the 2022 Games, but this will be their time to focus and get ready for the next Olympic cycle. Should senior team members retire after the upcoming Games, we will have some strong candidates that could earn a spot on the senior team next year.”
Pick up a copy of next week’s Pique for more information.
