MAMMOTH LAKES, Calif. - Skiing in gale force winds at an elevation of 9,000 feet, 15 National Guard biathletes displayed their mettle during the 4th annual Mammoth (Calif.) Winter Biathlon at the Tamarack Cross Country Center here March 26 to 27.
But they came nowhere near to matching the fortitude of six military Wounded Warriors participating in the competition that left the Guard members in awe after they completed a difficult skiing course in blizzard conditions on a day better suited for hot chocolate next to a warm fireplace.
The event, which features the highest-elevation biathlon range in the country, marked the first time National Guard biathletes were sent to an event primarily to assist with a Wounded Warrior biathlon competition.
“It goes without saying that our program is honored to assist Wounded Warriors in their participation of biathlon – regardless of the weather conditions,” said Maj. Andy Parsons, the coordinator of the National Guard Bureau’s biathlon program.
“Biathlon is becoming increasingly popular in the United States among Wounded Warriors and civilians and the National Guard will continue to support the U.S. Biathlon Association’s mission of promoting the sport at all levels.”
The National Guard athletes at the Mammoth Biathlon – the largest participatory biathlon in the United States with more than 200 competitors annually – helped set up the temporary biathlon range located in the Inyo National Forest for both civilian and Wounded Warriors competition.
The athletes then swept the trails for the Wounded Warriors by continually skiing the three-kilometer course to pack down the powdery snow.
After escorting the Wounded Warriors around the course during their race, the Guard members also assisted as safeties on the range during civilian races and, of course, hopped into the Elite Mass Start Race to compete against several current and ex-Olympians.
Although 20 Wounded Warrior athletes were originally set to compete, only six – including five Marines and one Soldier – were able to brave the winter-storm conditions in Mammoth and reach the starting line. Mammoth Mountain alpine ski resort reported 26 feet of accumulated snow at its base in the town on the day of the race.
“These guys love to move, and they love to move fast,” said Margaret Palchak, the eastern Sierra’s paralympic sports trainer. “Biathlon is the perfect Wounded Warrior sport. The snow allows athletes in sit-skis to get to places they could never reach in wheelchairs.”
Thomas Lugo, a Marine, was the top Wounded Warrior, completing the course in 11 minutes, 7 seconds. Dennis Hooper, a retired active duty Soldier, sit-skied the trail in 42:18.
“I work with these guys every day, but even I was crying when Dennis came into the finish escorted by the Guardsmen,” Palchak said.
The top elite finished for the National Guard team was Utah’s Dan Morken, who finished in sixth place In 37:53 on a nine-kilometer course. Morken was the bronze medalist in the National Guard Bureau’s 10-kilometer Western Regional race in February. The overall men’s winner was Olympian Wynn Roberts, who placed 86th in the 20-kilometer race in Vancouver in 2010.
Nevada Air National Guard Maj. Julie Dietrich was fifth in the women’s elite race. First place went to Lanny Barnes, a member of the United States’ relay team in the 2010 Olympics.
Palchak said she hopes to see continued National Guard involvement in the Wounded Warrior biathlon program.
“Everyone associated with the Mammoth Biathlon, especially the Wounded Warrior athletes, appreciates the National Guard’s support,” Palchak said. “We hope to see even more Wounded Warriors participating next year and hope this becomes an annual event for National Guard biathletes as well.”
Palchak said the eastern Sierra sports organization is set to host a variety of sports for Wounded Warriors this summer, including cycling, climbing, and hiking. She said all branches of service are welcome to attend, including both active and retired service members.
For information on participating in the Wounded Warrior summer sports program, call (760) 934-0791.
For information on the National Guard biathlon program, call Parsons at (802) 899-7120 or write to andrew.f.parsons@us.army.mil.