Whether snow is a no-show,
Biathlon will go on
By Natalie Bazinet
Staff Writer
Aroostook’s history of producing iconic winters is so extensive that The County may very well have put the “old” in cold, but 2010’s temperatures deviated from the norm; it was the warmest Caribou year in the history of the city’s consistently recorded climatological data and resultantly, 2011 is starting off on the mild side with a feeble snowpack and a freshly frozen ground that’s just now ready to accumulate some snow.
Contributed photo
WORLD CUP SPONSORS —The World Cup Biathlon is coming to northern Maine in February with two races beginning Feb. 3 in Presque Isle at the Nordic Heritage Center and Feb. 10 in Fort Kent at the Mountain Ski Center. F. A. Peabody Company recently became a sponsor for the event with its pledge of $1,500. Justin Pelletier, right, sales agent for the F. A. Peabody Company in the Presque Isle office, presents a check of $1,500 to Steven St. Pierre, representing the Sponsorship Committee for the World Cup in Presque Isle.
What is undoubtedly good news for warm-weather enthusiasts is a slight damper for organizers of the 2011 World Cup biathlons in Presque Isle and Fort Kent, but only slightly.
Living in an area known for its historic work ethic and grit-determination, biathlon organizers are ensuring that there’s at least a foot of snow on the ground for the athletic events whether Mother Nature chooses to cooperate or not.
“The major thaw a few weeks ago is what hurt us,” said Jane Towle, chief of press and promotions for the Presque Isle event. “Now that the ground is frozen and we’re starting to have sub-zero temperatures, that’s the key [to keep the snowpack building].”
Biathlon organizers in Presque Isle have been considering the no-snow situation for a while now and recently began stockpiling snow at an optimal location, utilizing a private water source at a private residence situated a short distance from the venue; prior locations were a considerable distance away from the competition site, which would have increased transportation costs for moving the 17,000 cubic meters of snow necessary for the athletic event.
Utilizing a private water source near the Nordic Heritage Center Sport Club will save thousands of dollars in transportation costs and reduce the number of effort-hours expended by volunteers.
Should Mother Nature participate in the World Cup Biathlon events by providing the necessary flurries that create a natural snowpack, event coordinators will maintain most of the financial resources reserved for stockpiling snow as the expensive part of the process is moving the snow from one location to the other.
“If we can stockpile the snow and not move it, the we’ve save most of the money,” Towle said.
But should Mother Nature get a little overzealous in her snow creation and dump, for example, two feet of snow on Presque Isle, then the committee is going to need volunteers to help shovel the excess powder from the athletic arena.
Shoveling snow may be the official Aroostook County pastime in winter and capable residents are encouraged to don their boots and gloves to help make the World Cup possible, especially considering what the event means for The County as a whole.
“Our long, dreary, cold winters have always been a detriment in the eyes of many, but now it’s our greatest asset because [winter sporting events like the Biathlon] are our niche market right now and we need to capitalize on that,” Towle said. “This is an economic venture that will impact all of us.”
The event is drawing spectators not only from all over the country, but it’s drawing worldwide attention to the often neglected crown of Maine; an occasion like this to promote the uniqueness of Aroostook County is invaluable, something that more and more communities are realizing as the event creeps closer.
The Caribou Chamber of Commerce, for instance, is putting together welcome bags for everyone staying at Caribou hotels, inns, camps and cabins during the Feb. 4-7 event filled with goodies from area businesses — just one way to passively highlight the community’s businesses for tourists who might otherwise not know what’s here.
“I think the Biathlon is going to have an enormous economic impact on the state and the region as well as providing an absolutely fabulous way to promote the community,” said Wendy Landes of the Caribou Chamber of Commerce.
While the Biathlon is slated to be an economic boon for The County, the entertainment value of watching world-class athletes compete for the gold is immeasurable and Aroostook residents (as well as neighboring Canadians) are fortunate to have two such events taking place back-to-back in Presque Isle and Fort Kent.
“I think that once people witness the excitement of the Presque Isle Biathlon, it’s going to draw an even bigger crowd in Fort Kent,” Towle said.
Towle is reminding individuals that there are a limited number of tickets available, “especially for the opening ceremonies, so make sure to get them early!”
