Biathlon officials high on Presque Isle site

PRESQUE ISLE – Except for the fairly major detail of there being no snow on the ground, the Maine Winter Sports Center’s Nordic Heritage Center is ready to hold the 2006 World Junior Biathlon Championships tomorrow if need be.

That was the verdict of two members of the International Biathlon Union, who were in Presque Isle this week for a site inspection in advance of the world championships that will be held Jan. 26-Feb. 3 – when, presumably, there will be plenty of snow.

“I want to say that the organizing here is very high level,” said Finland’s Esa Haapala, who oversees the technical aspects of events for the IBU and did that job in Fort Kent when the World Cup was held there in 2004.

“Maybe you can start your competition tomorrow,” he added, drawing laughs from the crowd.

Some 450 to 500 competitors and officials are expected for the January competition. Those numbers mean the world juniors will be the largest Nordic skiing event ever held in Maine. It’s also the first time the event is being held in North America.

Haapala, who has helped run many World Cups and other events in 30 years with the IBU, said things seemed to be in good shape around the Nordic Heritage Center.

“[The course is] very good, difficult but that is good,” he said. “Shooting range OK. Stadium facilities good. Of course we have some small points and some technical points we discussed this morning, but I’m sure you will organize [to a] very high standard.”

Slovenia’s Janez Vodicar, the IBU vice president of sport who was also in Fort Kent for the World Cup and attended Friday’s site inspection, pointed out a unique feature of the Nordic Heritage Center’s track. It’s the only one in the world, he said, that features a penalty loop that runs under the main building. In the shooting-and-skiing sport of biathlon, competitors who miss on the shooting range have to take penalty loops around a separate track.

“That makes good advertising for you,” Vodicar said.

“The stadium is very compact, close, small, so you have a good view,” he added. “You can see from all sides.”

Once everything is in place organizers expect to be able to host 3,000 to 4,000 fans seated and standing.

The IBU also announced the title sponsor for the junior world championships would be TD Banknorth. Ray Hews, a TD Banknorth senior vice president based in Presque Isle, presented event organizer Tim Doak of Caribou with a check for $75,000.

The event will cost more than $725,000 to stage, Doak said. Other funds for the competition include a $54,000 grant from the state of Maine, plus in-kind donations of services of more than $100,000. The biggest chunk of funds likely will come from the accommodations fee teams are charged for housing, meals and transportation.

The two IBU officials were joined by about 25 local organizers and legislators.

Vodicar and Haapala got a chance to see the Nordic Heritage Center facilities Friday morning. After lunch and a press conference the two were to discuss logistics such as housing, food and transportation. Vodicar also was planning a seminar for the organizing committee about putting on such a large biathlon event.