CHANGES TO YOUTH CATEGORY IN SINGAPORE BIATHLON

Youths who wish to participate in the Singapore Biathlon 2011 but are not mentally prepared for the full biathlon can now opt for a shorter sprint distance in the youth category.

The Republic of Singapore Navy (RSN) and SAFRA, who are organisers of Singapore Biathlon 2011, have shortened the sprint distance for the youth category by half to a 750-metre swim and a five- kilometre run. When the youth category was first introduced last year, participants were required to complete the full biathlon distance of 1.5km swim and 10km run.

SAFRA explained that the rationale behind the change in sprint distance was to help youth novices better prepare themselves for the full distance in future biathlons.

The change in sprint distance sits well with 16-year-old Marcus Chow, a Secondary five student from Ang Mo Kio Secondary School, who is participating in the Singapore Biathlon for the first time.

Marcus, who likes to take part in endurance sports like marathons, is not prepared to participate in the full biathlon. So he decided to 'start small' with the youth category.

"When I'm older, I will then compete in the full biathlon," he added.

He also hopes that the introduction of the shorter sprint distance will encourage more of his peers to take part. Currently, there are 60 participants who have registered for the youth category, up from 44 last year.

Another new introduction to the Singapore Biathlon 2011 is the open-water swimming trials. Participants who did not participate in a biathlon in the last two years are now required to undergo an open-water swimming trial. Previous swimming trials for the Singapore Biathlon were conducted at swimming complexes.

Noting that Singapore Biathlon is one of the biggest events in the national sports calendar, Colonel (COL) Tan Tai Tiong, Chairman of the Organising Committee for Singapore Biathlon 2011, said: "We always seek to improve the race experience based on the feedback from post-event surveys. One improvement in this edition is the swim trials, which will be done for the first time in open sea instead of swimming pools."

He explained that the open-water trials would help participants familiarise themselves with the challenges of competing in an open-water swimming event. This will ensure that they are fit to complete the required distance before the actual race on 12 Feb.

Echoing COL Tan's remarks, Marcus added that the open waters were very different from swimming pools and felt that his experience at the open-water trials would benefit him during the race.

"Elements like currents will challenge participants to navigate well in the waters," said Marcus.

The Singapore Biathlon will be held at East Cost Park on 12 Feb. More information on the biathlon is available at the SAFRA Singapore Biathlon 2011 website.