Biathlon New Zealand
The Olympic sport of cross-country skiing and shooting
In August 2026, I travelled from New Zealand to Australia to compete in the IBU Oceania Regional Event at Whiskey Flat, Mt Hotham, Victoria. The competition was held from 7–9 August and brought together biathletes to compete in an international-level event during the Australian winter season. The event was also part of the Australian Biathlon Championships and included selection races.
Travelling to Australia to compete was a great opportunity to race against athletes from Australia, gain international racing experience and continue developing my skills as a biathlete.
The trip began with travelling from Queenstown, New Zealand to Melbourne, Australia. After the journey, we drove 5 and a half hours until 2:30am to Omeo where we stayed and commuted to Mt Hotham (Whiskey Flat). Travelling with my equipment and preparing everything for racing was an important part of the trip, as there was a lot to organise, such as reassembling rifles, before getting onto the snow.
It was interesting just how different the environment and conditions are at Whiskey Flat. It is very different skiing between the eucalyptus trees.
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Before the races, I had the opportunity to train on the range and become familiar with the conditions. The targets on the range are set higher than IBU standard due to being quite old so I had to adjust my rifle to suit.
One of the most valuable parts of the preparation was getting used to the course. Racing somewhere unfamiliar meant I had to pay attention to the terrain and adapt my skiing to the conditions rather than relying on the familiarity of my home tracks.
The IBU Oceania Cup races were held over the weekend of 8–9 August. Competing in an international event was both exciting and challenging. The races provided an opportunity to put the training I had done throughout the season into practice.
The conditions at Whiskey Flat also added to the challenge. Our first race was on a hard and fast course under intense sun while the second day brought strong wind, rain, and a much slower course time.
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One of the biggest benefits of the trip was the experience I gained from competing internationally. Racing in Australia allowed me to compare myself with other athletes and identify areas of my performance that I can continue to improve.
I also learned more about preparing for races away from home. Travelling to another country, managing equipment, adapting to a new course and getting ready to race all require preparation and organisation. These are skills that will be useful for future international competitions.
The trip was also a great opportunity to spend time with other athletes and coaches. Being part of a team environment made the experience enjoyable and allowed me to learn from people with different levels of racing experience.
I was very happy to come away from the competition with 2 second place medals.
Overall, travelling to Whiskey Flat, Australia to compete in the IBU Oceania Cup was a valuable and enjoyable experience. It gave me the opportunity to compete internationally, experience a different race environment and test myself against strong competition.
The trip helped me identify areas to work on in my skiing and racing and gave me greater confidence competing away from home. I am grateful for the opportunity to represent New Zealand and gain experience that I can take into future competitions.
The experience at Mt Hotham has motivated me to continue training and improving, with the goal of becoming a stronger and more experienced biathlete in future international competitions.
