U.S. Biathlon Announces Youth/Junior Trials in Grand Rapids, Minnesota

New Gloucester, Maine – U.S. Biathlon is excited to announce that the 2024 Youth and Junior World Championships Trials will be held at Mt. Itasca in Grand Rapids, Minnesota. The trials will be held December 28-31, 2023, with the exact race schedule to be announced. The trials will decide the 2024 Youth and Junior World Championships Team. 

“It has been quite a few years since we have been to Mt. Itasca for the YJWCH Trials, and I look forward to returning this December,” said USBA Director of Athlete Development, Tim Burke. “Minnesota has a long history of producing top biathletes, and I'm sure we will see many local athletes vying for spots on this year's YJWCH Team.”

Mt. Itasca has been a center for Nordic sports in Minnesota for over 100 years and is home to a full 30-point biathlon range and homologated race courses. The event will be hosted by the Mt. Itasca Nordic Ski Association.

“Northern Minnesota has been an important part of youth biathlon development for many years,” commented Carl Nordgren, Chief of Competition. “Mt. Itasca is a great facility with an exceptional trail network that is very challenging and also fun to ski. We are excited to be awarded the YJWCH Trials and look forward to having the top junior biathletes competing on our trails.”

“These trials are the biggest youth and junior national competitions of the year,” added Burke. “This event serves as a catalyst for development wherever it is held, so it's essential that we rotate these competitions to all our regions. I'm confident these competitions will help inspire the next generation of midwest biathletes.”

Youth and Junior World Championships will be held in Otepää, Estonia from February 20 - March 1, 2024.