EAST MIDLANDS BIATHLON COMPETITION 2008

Following a wet, windy, cold and somewhat muddy day, at Southwell Leisure Centre, the East Midlands Biathlon on Sunday 16 th March was a great success for our competitors and team manager Jon Freeman.

Our competitors included: -

John Kirk, Gavin Vaughan, Fraser Foster Farren, Oliver Roberts, Lewis Foster Farren, James Fountain, Edward Booth and Kameron Olivent.

Tina Sudell, Abi Schofield, Lauren Freeman, Sophie Roberts, Abbie Fairweather , Lydia George, Sarah Fountain, Hannah Devine and Shelly James.

All competitors had excellent runs during the cross-country although gripping in mud was highly unlikely so it was a case of take a chance and stride out at your peril! Lets just say the parents had a decent shower of mud as they cheered on the competitors. Their swims proved to be to the usual Vulcans standards with excellent times throughout.

Team manager Jon Freeman rallied round the competitors giving his usual “little pep talks” encouraging them all whilst running and again on poolside using that ever faithful voice that we all know and love …. I think!

James, Oliver and Lewis gained 1st place in the youth B boys team whilst Lauren, Abbie and Lydia gained 1 st place for the youth C girls team and Hannah, Sarah and Shelly also gained 1 st for the youth D girls.

Abi Schofield won 1 st place in the youth A girls and also best swim and best run awards.

Lauren won 2 nd place in the youth C girls and also gained best swim award whilst Lydia came 6 th , Abbie 7 th and Sophie 8 th .

In youth D girls Hannah came 1 st followed by Sarah in 2 nd and Shelly 5 th .

James gained 2 nd place for youth B boys with Oliver 3 rd and Lewis 5 th .

In youth D boys Kameron came 4 th and Edward 6 th .

Gavin competed in the senior men coming in 1 st while Fraser in youth A was also 1 st .

Only two competitors took part in the master's section, both of which were our own Vulcans swimmers John Kirk and Tina Sudell. Obviously both gained 1 st positions in men and women. Our ever-faithful Tina, suffering with nerves on the morning, showed us how determination gets you through, as did John. Tina's butterflies soon settled after the muddy run and she relaxed before her swim alongside John. Both proved willing competitors for Lincoln Vulcans and both came out smiling with their awards!

With thanks to all Lincoln Vulcans Biathlon competitors for your hard work, you all deserve huge congratulations! Keep up the training as we move forward to the Biathlon final in Macclesfield on Sunday 18 th May 2008.

A well-deserved thank-you, of course, goes to Jon for organising the teams and helping our competitors to be proud of themselves once again.

Just a last note: - one of our master's competitors also received a special award on the day. Practice pistol shooting was available to have a go at during the day and Tina gained the highest score of all the females that took part. Tina had only been asked during the day to join the “Triathlon team” but alas replied “I'd be no good at pistol shooting, I'd miss the target for shaking” well Tina you proved yourself wrong there so Jon has put you in the Triathlon next time around!

See you all at training, spikes at the ready!!

P.S. I've been promoted to ‘Jon's press officer' apparently. Does that take the pressure off being his wife? Umm! Very tricky! Think I'll stick with my usual career, its far more relaxing!

Karen Freeman