FORT KENT – Visitors to the Ruhrgas IBU World Cup Biathlon have been welcomed to a world-class facility … with a bit of Maine charm added in for good measure.

Totem poles and Native American tepees have been set along the main path into the biathlon venue, and some spectators and competitors have stopped to have their pictures taken in front of a totem pole.

Farther into the venue, fans have often slowed again to enjoy a pair of Monroe artist Forest Hart’s bronze sculptures.

Hart, whose work includes the Hampden Academy Bronco and a number of sculptures at MBNA facilities across the state, has several sculptures at the Maine Winter Sports Center, according to MWSC CEO Andy Shepard.

“Max Sanger [of the MWSC] approached Forest this summer about bringing this kind of artwork into the stadium to create the kind of atmosphere that we were hoping for,” Shepard said. “It’s a great touch. To have that kind of prestigious artwork in the stadium or around the lodge just adds to the atmosphere.”

Hart’s work includes life-size sculptures of a mother bear with three cubs (titled “Three Little Rascals”) which rests in front of the 10th Mountain Lodge, two deer titled (“Deer Alert”), a life-size bull moose (“The Challenger”) that stands on a bluff overlooking the stadium, and two smaller pieces that decorate the Voyageur Gold Lounge in the 10th Mountain Lodge.

Shepard said the two larger pieces were transported to Fort Kent last fall, while the smaller sculptures (A moose labled “The Dominant One” and a leaping bear called “Siberian Brown Bear”) arrived on Tuesday.

If you’re in the market for a beautiful sculpture, here’s the fact you may want to consider: The price.

“The moose is about $35,000, and the bears are around $30,000,” Shepard said. “The smaller ones are $10,000 to $15,000.”

Media is dining in style

Spectators aren’t the only people being encouraged to have fun in Fort Kent this week. Organizers have made sure that members of the media have had plenty of opportunity to sample life in the St. John Valley.

Late Wednesday afternoon, the assembled press corps joined International Biathlon Union officials and local organizers for dinner … and more … at the Long Lake Sporting Club in Sinclair. The contingent of about 80 men and women were treated well.

On the docket: Ice fishing, sleigh rides, snowmobile rides … and dinner.

The Sporting Club doesn’t have menus: Selections (which don’t change) can be found on wooden signs in the bar area. Among the options: Steak, chicken, scallops, shrimp … and lobster.

Big lobster.

Many of the foreign journalists opted for lobster, and seemed amazed when the clawed critters arrived at the table. The lobsters at the Sporting Club are huge … four pounds or so … and more than one initially hungry lobster-lover had to push away from the table with a claw or tail untouched.

On Thursday morning, most were still talking about the meal. Even those who hadn’t chosen lobster were impressed what they’d seen.

Andree Merbt, a journalist from Germany, tried his hand at ice-fishing (he had the same kind of luck every ice angler had … none), then adjourned to the dining room for a lobster dinner.

His impression?

“Great,” he said. “[I’ve had lobster before], but not that large.”

Chicken Dance is a hit

While the public address announcer does his best to get the sizeable throng fired up, the musical portions of the pre-biathlon festivities is sometimes greeted just as enthusiastically.

That was the case on Thursday, as the St. John Valley crowd proved it was more than willing to participate in a large-scale, pre-event Chicken Dance.

Few in the bleachers didn’t join in … and the spirit was contagious.

One team official manning the Italian team’s ski rack – a good-natured fellow who had previously been spotted dancing and singing along to “Twist Again,” – showed that Mainers’ passion for the Chicken Dance may be more or less universal.

The Italian gent mouthed the words (in English) and proceeded to flap his wings … and shake his tailfeathers … while waiting for the men’s 10-kilometer sprint to begin.

Husband, wife each lead event

Raphael and Liv Grete Poiree aren’t the only husband-and-wife team on the World Cup biathlon tour, but they are the only married couple who are leading the World Cup standings.

Raphael won Thursday’s 10-kilometer men’s sprint, and Liv Grete was second Wednesday in the 7.5-kilometer women’s sprint. He has a 61-point lead in the men’s standings, while she is ahead by 115 points.

There is a bit of friendly back-and-forth between the two, especially about who has more points in the World Cup standings (France’s Raphael is leading with 842, while Norway’s Liv Grete has 809).

“We have a little bit of competition just for fun, to be together and speak about this,” Raphael Poiree said after his win Thursday. “… I give her something she needs and she knows that and she gives me something that I don’t have and it’s why we are so strong.”

Raphael said he was pleased with his wife’s second-place finish Wednesday.

“Sometimes you are second place or you don’t win, but you can be very happy,” he added.