Skip to content

Abbotsford air cadets win medals at national championship

Biathletes ski and shoot their way to the podium in Quebec
33539abbotsfordEthanAlgracadet
Ethan Algra of Abbotsford is shown here competing at the recent Cadet National Biathlon Championship in Quebec.

An Abbotsford air cadet earned three medals and two top honours at the recent Cadet National Biathlon Championship.

Ethan Algra, 14, won two gold medals and one silver, as well as being named the recipient of the Nikki Keddie Trophy – presented to the boy and girl with the highest combined individual results.

Algra also received a bursary that is given to the best cumulative individual in their respective elements.

The competition was held March 1 to 4 in Valcartier, Que., and comprised 130 athletes.

Algra is a member of the 861 Silverfox air cadet squadron in Abbotsford.

This is his fifth year doing biathlon.

“I go to a lot of competitions so I know what I can do. From there, I set goals so I can improve,” he said.

Another member of the Silverfox squadron, Emmanuel Bussani, 15, of Aldergrove, won a gold medal and two silvers at the same competition.

The biathlon is a combination of cross-country skiing and marksmanship.

After skiing fast and hard, biathletes must calm themselves to take accurate and controlled shots at targets 50 metres away.

In a single race, competitors can ski up to 10 kilometres and shoot 20 targets.