Team Stride & Glide
Matt Neumann
Prince George, BC
Biathlon

Sport: Biathlon-the combination of cross country skiing and marksmanship

 

Personal:

I am an 18 year old biathlete training in Prince George BC. I am a member of the Biathlon BC High Performance team and train under the guidance of iLmar Heinicke. I have being training as a member of the Biathlon BC HP Team for the last two years and have being a member of Biathlon BC for the last three.       

 

I have being skiing most of my life and started biathlon when I was ten. My first coaches were Jeremy Campbell and Fiona Coy. Without their dedication, biathlon would have never become a part of my life.

 

I am currently ranked 1st in BC and 3^rd in North America for my age category. I have competed at the Canadian National Championships for the last three years and intend on competing again this year. I was also the recipient of the 2007 Premiers Award for the sport of Biathlon in BC.

 

Aside from training I have also being involved in coaching Jackrabbits and School Ski Program. I am keen on promoting cross country skiing as a fun, competitive, and lifelong sport.

 

Why Biathlon?

 

Through Biathlon, sport has become a lifestyle for me. During the past eight years, Biathlon has grown from a fun sport to a part time job. By training at a semi-professional level, I am constantly striving to improve my skills as an athlete and bridge the gap to the national team. I am always making and redefining my goals. It is satisfying to accomplish a height and push the bar one step higher. It is a long way to the top, but the reward is indescribable. I am interested to see how far I can go and am willing to push my limits to achieve my full potential.

 

Where am I going?

 

I hope to follow biathlon until I feel I have reached my full potential in the sport. Hopefully this will lead me to the World Cup Circuit and Olympic Winter Games. I currently train full time under the Provincial HP Team coach; iLmar Heinicke.  This team trains out of Prince George, where the Provincial HP Center is located.  I would like to continue training in Prince George if it means I am achieving the most effective training. As the 2010 Olympic Games approach, it is possible that the HP team relocates to Callaghan Valley (Olympic Biathlon Venue) to take advantage of the training facilities. This would be a big change in lifestyle, but would enhance the training quality significantly.

 

Other Interests

 

If I’m not skiing, roller skiing, or shooting, I’m running or biking. I ran in the PG Track and Field Club this spring and run cross country every fall. I competed at the BC Track and Field Championships in the 1500m and 3000m and at the BC X-country Running Championships in 2005 and 2006. I have run in several half marathons and hope to run a sub 3 hour marathon this summer. I also enjoy competing in Triathlon’s and hope to someday compete in the Hawaii Ironman.        

 

Achievements:

 

• 7^th,7^th and 9^th at 2007 Canadian National Biathlon Championships
• 4^th (relay), 9^th and 11^th at 2007 Canada Winter Games
• 2^nd, 3^rd at 2007 North American Championships
• 1^st, 1^st at BC Biathlon Championships 2007
• Top Biathlon BC Senior Boy 2005, 2006
• Top Biathlon BC Youth Man 2007
• 15^th, 17^th at Canadian Senior Trials, 2007                      
• 6^th, 6^th at Canmore World Junior Trials/NorAm #1, 2007/08
• 4^th, 4^th at West Yellowstone NorAm #2, 2007/08            
• 3^rd, 8^th at Canmore NorAm #3, 2007/08
• 3^rd Overall North American Cup Points (after NAC#3), 2007/2008
• 1^st, 1^st at Callaghan Valley BC Cup #3,4, 2008

Goals

For current season:

• Top 3 placement at the Canadian/North American Biathlon Championships
• Top 15 placement at German National Championships

For Next Season:

• Qualify and Compete at 2009 World Junior Championships
• Qualify for Canadian National Junior Team
• One Gold Medal at 2009 Canadian National Championships

Next 2 years:

• Top 15 placement at World Junior Championships
• Qualify and compete at European Championships