Biathlon runs in the family
Lennoxville residents Pauline and big brother Leo Grandbois recently picked up matching gold medals at the National Biathlon Championships, held at the end of March in Charlo, New Brunswick.
Both have since been invited to join the Canadian national team next year.
Pauline, at 16-years-old, will compete in the youth category. Leo, now 18-years-old, will be in the junior category. Leo’s success on the biathlon course is well-documented. When he was 16, he went to Lillehammer, Norway to represent Canada in the Youth Olympics. He also has a run of gold medals from previous national biathlon championships.
Pauline, who was competing in the nationals for the second time, won her first gold this year.
When asked how the family ended up with two elite biathletes, Leo and Pauline’s mom explained that it was no coincidence.
“They had no choice,” she said, explaining that once Leo gave biathlon a try and took a liking to it, the family wasn’t in a position to drive the two children all over town at different times for different sports. Pauline’s pragmatic introduction to biathlon turned out to be the perfect choice. “She liked it too.”
When asked about the two young athletes’ plans for the summer, they said they will continue a twice-a-day training regiment in preparation for the next competition season, training both here in Quebec and on occasion in Alberta.
This coming winter they will have the benefit of Bishop’s University’s newly developed cross-country ski trail.
“It’s amazing for us,” Leo said, to have a Fis-certified trail just two km from their doorstep.