The Reminder is making its archives back to 2003 available on our website. Please note that, due to technical limitations, archive articles are presented without the usual formatting.
A young Snow Lake skier is broadening his horizons and turning a few heads in southern Manitoba, while taking part in the biathlon. Fifteen-year-old Boe Oleksuk started cross-country skiing last year and his coach, J.H. Kerr School's physical education teacher Steve Deighton, figures he's a natural. "He caught on to skiing quickly and last year ended up winning the Frontier Games Regionals as well as the divisional championships," said Deighton. "As a result, at the end of the season, the two of us set a goal to compete in a ski race in the south this year." Deighton, a former Canada Winter Games biathlete, notes that to prepare for the 05/06 ski season, Boe ran cross-country. He qualified for Cross Country Provincials and he and Deighton traveled to Rose Isle, MB for that race. At the race they ran in to Deighton's old biathlon coach, Rich Pettit. Pettit mentioned that the Canada Winter Games were coming up and both the cross-country skiing and biathlon teams were looking for prospects. Having been involved in Snow Lake's Junior Rifle Club for two years, Boe showed immediate interest in the shooting aspect of the sport. "On the trip home we discussed how to get involved in biathlon and what type of equipment was needed," said Deighton. "And as a result, Boe began a physical training program right after we got home. He trains six days a week for one to two hours per day." Boe has since joined the Winnipeg Biathlon Club and the Biathlon Association of Manitoba. With rented equipment from the association, Boe began training in November 2005. "In addition to his six days of physical training, he does 30 minutes of dry firing (shooting without bullets) each day and four hours of indoor shooting per week," the coach said. "This totals about 20 hours per week devoted to the sport." On Jan 14th, Boe, his father Randy, and Deighton traveled to Falcon Lake, Manitoba for his first race. The Falcon Lake race consisted of a 7.5 km individual race. In individual biathlon races, skiers are assessed time penalties for missed targets while in the sprint races competitors are required to ski penalty loops. See 'Athletes' P.# Con't from P.# As expected, Boe was very nervous. There were over 40 racers at the event, ranging in age from eight to 45-years-old. He was grouped with the 15 to 19-year-old athletes who are eligible for the Canada Games. "It was -2 and the snow was very moist," he said. "As a result, the course was fast. Boe had a good ski, posting a time of 36 minutes 37 seconds. He hit nine out of 20 targets and as a result received eight minutes in penalties. With the second fastest ski time and the second best shooting in his category, he finished in second place overall. He was only four minutes behind the leader. This is a very impressive first effort in a provincial caliber event." Following the race provincial biathlon team coach, Iaroslav Khomiak, expressed interest in Boe. He handed him a provincial team-training program and invited him to the rest of the Manitoba Cup series races, the Provincial Championships, and to provincial team training camps. Khomiak also told Boe that he would be eligible for selection to the Canada Games team next year. "I think that Boe has a very good chance to succeed in this sport; he has many things going for him," said Deighton. "He has a strong background in sport, responds well to coaching, is very motivated, has clear goals, and most importantly has the support of his family. Yes, I think he has a very promising future in this unique sport." Normally a fairly serious individual, a massive smile engulfs Boe's face when asked how he likes this new found sport. "It's great, I just love it," he said. In answer to a question on whether he will go after a position on the Canada Games Team, the skier replies, "It'll take a lot of time and a lot of training, but yes, for sure. I'm really into it!"
