Hugh Pritchard
Biathlete.co.uk

Olympic Team Selection

The Team

As of 17 January, Team GB's biathlon element will consist of:

• Mike Dixon - individual & relay races
• Mark Gee - individual & relay races
• Jason Sklenar - relay race
• Hugh Pritchard - relay race
• Ian Woods - head coach
• Martin Glagow - ski technician
• Richard Godfrey - physiologist & dogsbody
• Amanda Robertson - physiotherapist & dogsbody (Team GB rather than biathlon, but located with us near the biathlon venue).

Qualification.

The qualification criterion set by the BOA was to achieve two results in World Cup races in 2000/2001 or 2001/2002 that were either in the top half of the field or within 10% of the medals (15% for women). The BBU dictated that only results up to the end of World Cup 4 in Oberhof would count.

The BOA said that a maximum of (I think) 5 men including a relay team and 2 women would be taken.

Results

Mike Dixon, Mark Gee and Tom Clemens each achieved two qualifying results in 2000/1, as did the relay team. Emma Fowler has achieved only one qualifier, in December 2001.

Mike and Mark underlined their current form by achieving another qualifying result in December 2001.

Tom has had terrible form this season, and has started only twice in World Cup races, both times as a result of the best racer(s) standing down, and both times performing poorly. The relay team has not 'requalified'. Jason Sklenar and I have not achieved any qualifying results within the timeframe, although Jason has many times in the past.

Selection

Mike and Mark are selected as individuals on their own merit. Jason and I are selected as members of the relay team.