FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

McMiller Biathlon Range Opens

Recent improvements to the McMiller Sport Center have allowed for the opening of a Biathlon course for cross country skiing enthusiasts. Biathlon – an Olympic sport – combines the disciplines of cross country skiing with rifle marksmanship.

In Biathlon competitions, participants are required to cross-county ski a set distance, stop and shoot at 5 targets, and repeat the sequence any number of times depending on the distance of the event (which can range from 5 – 20 km).

The challenge of Biathlon, is to combine physically demanding skiing - which increases a participants heart and breath rate - with rifle marksmanship which requires steadiness, low heart rates and controlled breathing. Both speed and accuracy are required as it is a timed event with time penalties imposed for inaccurate shots. This unique challenge has made Biathlon the top rated winter sport on European television.

The McMiller Biathlon course is primarily intended as a training site for Biathlon participants. The course consists of a 2 km ski trail loop (groomed for both classical and skate skiers) that provides direct skiing access to one of the existing shooting ranges at McMiller Sports Center. In addition to the 2 km Biathlon loop, Biathletes have the option of skiing any one of 5 cross- country ski trail loops that have been in place at McMiller since the late 1970’s. The 5 ski loops traverse scenic and hilly Kettle Moraine topography while offering distances of 3 – 10 km in length with varying degrees of difficulty. The Biathlon course begins at the trailhead for the McMiller trails.

The following operational guidelines apply to the McMiller Biathlon facility –

• Weapons to be used are limited to a .22 caliber rifle
• The weapons must be unloaded, no rounds in the chamber and no magazines in the gun, except on the firing line.
• Participants who have a current USBA (United States Biathlon Assoc) safety certificate may carry an uncased weapon while on the 2 km Biathlon route.
• Participants who do not have a USBA certificate must have the weapon in a case, except on the firing line. A safety course for participants to earn their USBA certificate is being planned. Those interested in the training session should contact the forest headquarters.
• All participants skiing any of the ski trails other than the 2 km Biathlon course must have their weapon in a case.

The Biathlon course is open on Saturdays and Sundays from 8 am – noon and weekdays during daylight hours. McMiller Sports Center offers convenient parking, a heated warming shelter with fireplace and flush toilets that is open on weekends, vending machine refreshments, and quality groomed trails.

It is located on Co. Hwy NN, ½ mile west of Hwy 67 1 ½ miles south of the Village of Eagle.

From the south visitors can take Hwy 12 or I-43 to Hwy 67. North on Hwy 67 to Co NN. West on Hwy NN to the McMiller entrance.

From the north visitor can take I-94 or Hwy 59 to Hwy 67. South on Hwy 67 to Co. NN. West on Hwy NN to the McMiller entrance.

A Wisconsin State Park Vehicle Admission sticker is required for all vehicles visiting the forest. In addition a Wisconsin State Trail pass is required for all skiers 16 years or older.

Additional information about the sport of Biathlon can be obtained at http://www.usbiathlon.org/ or by calling 1-800-242-8456.

For additional information about the McMiller Sports Center Biathlon Course, please contact the forest headquarters at 262-594-6200 or Forest Supt. Paul Sandgren at 262-594-6204.