Opening ceremony ‘exceeds expectations’
Staff photo/Michael Gudreau
OPENING CEREMONY — Dave Peterson, event director for the Presque Isle leg of the E.ON IBU World Cup Biathlon, welcomed guests and athletes during the opening ceremony held Feb. 3 at Gentile Hall at the University of Maine at Presque Isle. The hall was packed for the occasion, with many spectators opting to watch from the second floor track. Local youth provided entertainment for the occasion and presented each athlete with their respective bibs for the weekend competition. Behind Peterson are local children, who performed on behalf of the Maine Dance Academy, holding the bibs.
By Kathy McCarty
PRESQUE ISLE — Fanfare fitting a world-class competition, presented with a hometown feel, was the order of the day for the opening ceremony of the E.ON IBU World Cup Biathlon, held Thursday, Feb. 3, at UMPI’s Gentile Hall.
Photo courtesy of Dina Harding
AROOSTOOK COUNTY SCOUTS, at left, participated in the opening ceremony of the World Cup Biathlon in Presque Isle. Pictured in front from left, with their respective troop or pack number, are: Caleb Ames, 171; James Bell, 171; Riley Roderick, 171; and Paul Flick, assistant scoutmaster, 186. In back: Tony Patterson, assistant scoutmaster, 186; Stacey Skinner, district chairman, 177; Zachary Weatherhead, 193; Jimmy Stepp, 171; Taylor Skinner, Eagle Scout, 177; Danny LaCasse, 193; and David Foster, assistant den leader, 171.
Boy Scouts from several area troops kicked off the event, bearing flags from competing nations as they made their way through the crowd.
LARRY HARRISON, scoutmaster of Troop 177, in Washburn, and Spencer Bragan, cubmaster of Pack 171 in Presque Isle, pictured above from left, took part in opening ceremony festivities for the E.ON IBU World Cup Biathlon, held Feb. 3 at UMPI’s Gentile Hall in Presque Isle.
“The opening ceremony was officially led by 35 members of the Boy Scouts of America, who served in a flag detail for 22 countries participating in the locally-held sporting event. The six Boy Scout troops and Cub Scout packs in attendance represented Scouting for their respective towns, including: 12 members from 171 of Presque Isle; 10 members from 186 of Woodland; six members from 177 of Washburn; three members from 170 of Mapleton; three members from 193 of Limestone; and one member for 179 of Ashland,” said Dina Harding, speaking on behalf of area Scouts.
Staff photo/Michael Gudreau
WAITING TO PERFORM at the E.ON IBU World Cup Biathlon opening ceremony at UMPI’s Gentile Hall in Presque Isle Feb. 3 were members of the Presque Isle High School Band, pictured from left: Katy Schneider, Bethany Beckwith, Victoria Butterfield, Chelsea Simonds, Alecia da Cruz and Katie Patenaude.
University officials were pleased to be hosting such a spectacular event.
“We were so pleased to welcome the nations of the world for the opening ceremonies of the World Cup Biathlon event in Presque Isle. We were proud to be a part of a week-long event that honors world-class athletes and shows to the world the talent and dedication of our local volunteers,” said UMPI President Don Zillman.
Spectators packed the venue, watching as local performers from communities throughout Aroostook County took to the stage to provide a one-of-a-kind welcome to athletes from around the world. The event was televised in Europe.
“It was nearly a sell-out crowd and the show was spectacular. The European production company worked very well in conjunction with the Maine Dance Academy and the choreography was seamless,” said Jane Towle, chief of media and promotion for the Presque Isle portion of the biathlon.
BRIAN THERIAULT, of Fort Kent, at left, made the trek to Presque Isle to watch the World Cup Biathlon opening ceremony at UMPI on Feb. 3.
In addition to performing, local youth had the honor of presenting athletes with their respective bibs for the weekend’s competition.
Towle said response to the ceremony was extremely positive.
“We had rave reviews from the athletes, coaches, International Biathlon Union representatives and the public,” she said, noting, “It is not mandatory for athletes and coaches to attend the opening ceremonies and we are so pleased that most of them chose to participate.”
Towle said not all communities hosting a World Cup event got to the effort of hosting an opening ceremony.
“Many World Cup venues in Europe do not host an opening ceremony due to the incredible logistical planning that it takes, so this was a very pleasant surprise for them. It exceeded their expectations,” said Towle.
