FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Blackhawk Race Report March 7

At the final stop of the Wisconsin Biathlon Cup at Blackhawk Ski Club in Middleton, Bill Bowler (Blackhawk) won his second series race, while Stephanie Osborne (Blackhawk) continued her domination in the women’s field winning her fifth race. Sunny skies and rising temperatures throughout the day made for pleasant spectating, but challenging skiing conditions for racers.

In the men’s race Bill Bowler took the lead from the gun, and held the front spot from wire to wire. Bowler also won the opening event of the season held at Blackhawk in December. A former national team member, Bowler has stepped back from international competition in the last year to focus on completing academic requirements for medical school.

“It was hard skiing and the course was getting a little bit soft. It was still pretty fast at the beginning but slowed down towards the middle and the end. That’s just how it goes. It’s spring,” said Bowler. “I haven’t been shooting as much recently because I’m busy with academics, but prone was okay with two missed total. Standing was not so good. I have some work to do there.”

Bowler plans on returning to full time racing next season.

Michael Robinson (Blackhawk) and Marc Claas (Blackhawk) battled for second behind Bowler. “Marc Claas and I had a good back and forth,” said Robinson. “We traded penalty laps on the final lap and there was a little bit of a race at the end there.”

Robinson pushed past Claas on the last lap and took second.

“If I had hit my last shot we might have had a race at the end,” said Class before correcting himself. “If I had hit the first shot and the last prone I might have had a go at it, but I missed.”

Osborne’s victory in the women’s race was her fifth win in the Wisconsin Biathlon Cup. Osborn was full of praise for the race crew that had put the series together.

“We have a great group of racers, and we are just thankful for so many contributions to make this sport possible,” said Osborne. “I’m thankful just to be able to participate. My goals are to participate and enjoy it, and be thankful for all the volunteers that made it possible.”

After a successful season, both racing and putting the WBC series together, Blackhawk Race Director Mark Torresani was looking forward to the clinics aimed at increasing the sports participation in the spring.

“We are looking forward to some other venues opening up next year in the state,” said Torresani. “It’s been a good year for us. Turnout has been good and we are always looking for new members, and we like to help people out and get them started.”

Blackhawk Ski Club will host a Biathlon Club Start Up Clinic on Saturday April 11th and a Biathlon Safety Certification Class on Sunday April 12th,

For more information on the clinics visit Blackhawk’s clinic registration page