Female speed skaters, cross-country runners, triathletes and rollerbladers are being called on to convert to the sport of biathlon, with the enticement of the chance of becoming an Olympian.
Biathlon New Zealand (BNZ) - which has its national centre at Snow Farm, near Wanaka - was recently advised by the International Biathlon Union it has qualified one youth female place at the Winter Youth Olympic Games in Lillehammer, Norway, in February 2016.
However, a shortage of candidates born between the required January 1, 1998 to December 31, 1999 period means selectors are looking further afield.
BNZ executive committee chairman John Burridge said there was just one female New Zealand biathlete of qualifying age.
The opportunity had therefore also been extended to competitors from other sports who would consider converting to biathlon - which combines cross-country skiing and rifle shooting - and taking advantage of this ''once-in-a-lifetime event''.
''The sports that will convert easily are rollerblading and ice-skating, track not figure skating. But the fitness from cross-country running, triathlon and multisport events will give us a good base to develop the skiing skills. We have rifles, so that expense can be deferred.
''The best athlete will be selected and there is history within biathlon of people converting later in life and having huge success in their first year,'' Mr Burridge said.
The selected biathlete would compete in sprint and pursuit events at the Youth Olympics and their costs would be met by the New Zealand Olympic Committee [NZOC].
Candidates new to the sport would need to obtain their gun licence and attend a target shooting range for six sessions before the opening of Snow Farm this winter to be eligible to join the Wanaka Biathlon Club.
''It is far easier to learn the shooting basics and safe practices in a warm indoor environment and a lot quicker than making those first steps in the cold of the Snow Farm range.''
Parents wanting further information can phone Mr Burridge on (09) 274-1345 or 021-076-5472, while interested athletes should send their CV to: mail@gosnow.co.nz.
