Yale secondary student Jarod Algra looks to have a good shot at the 2015 Canada Winter Games.
After being named to Team BC in biathlon for the Winter Games, Algra recently competed at BC Cup #1 in Quesnel in early January and returned home with a pair of gold medals in the youth men (17-18 years old) category.
He won gold in the 12.5-km Individual competition with a final ski time of 41:52 while shooting 17 of 20 targets. In the 7.5-km Sprint competition, Algra finished the race in 25:50 and hit eight out of 10 targets, taking his second gold.
Algra trains with West Coast Nordic Club and usually practices at the Cypress and Whistler Olympic Parks but the late snowfall this season has presented a challenge. “We’ve been travelling to Vernon since the end of November for snow so we can get on skis,” he said.
When Algra competed at the Canada Winter Games trial races in Canmore, Alta., in the beginning of December he was the fastest B.C. male athlete in his category.
The Canada Winter Games occurs once every four years. B.C. is allowed to send a team of eight biathlon athletes (four men and four women), ranging in age from 17 to 20.
“I know I will be competing against older, more experienced athletes, the very best biathletes across the country, said Jarod, “but I’m pretty excited as it’s a once in a life time opportunity and experience.”
The BC Team will be training this weekend at the CWG Venue in Prince George. “It’s important for us to train together at this training camp,” said Algra, “as one of the races at the Canada Winter Games will be a 3 x 7.5-km relay.”