May 8, 2024 - (Midway, Utah) Ariens Nordic Center, the newest U.S. Biathlon National Training Center located in Brillion, Wisconsin, will host the first-ever U.S. Biathlon Masters Nationals and North American Masters Championships February 14-16, 2025.

This event has been created in collaboration with Biathlon Canada to bring together the largest population of Masters athletes to one event. Built as an annual event, it will take place at a time in the schedule that our U.S. Biathlon Masters Advisory Panel and Biathlon Canada have deemed ideal to complement other race opportunities in North America and around the world. With the historic American Birkebeiner races and Expo taking place the following weekend just a short road trip away, this event offers the opportunity for Masters biathletes to hit two events in one Midwest adventure.

“We are building this event for the Masters population as another racing opportunity to add to the calendar and we are excited to play a part in bringing the larger community of Masters athletes together,” said John Farra, U.S. Biathlon Director of Sport Development. “Having an event specifically designed for Masters athletes is another step to support the growth of the community, especially one that will take place at Ariens Nordic Center’s new world class facility!”

“As a proud Wisconsin Biathlon Masters athlete, I am excited to be playing a role in developing and hosting this inaugural event. It will offer up the thrill of a sprint under lights, the rush of a mass start, and the mental challenge of an individual event. Come for the world class biathlon event, stay for the Masters camaraderie!” said Gregg Pattison, U.S. Biathlon Masters athlete & Ariens Nordic Center coach.

Medals will be up for grabs in five different Masters age categories (30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60-69, 70+), for both U.S. Biathlon Masters Nationals and North American Championship. In addition, the event will include a U30 “Open” category so that athletes under 30 years of age may participate for Ariens Nordic Center Biathlon Festival podium prizes. Details for this inaugural event are in the works.

While this event will serve as the official U.S. Biathlon National Championships for Masters athletes, all athletes are encouraged to race at the 2025 U.S. Biathlon Senior Nationals & Spring Festival March 26-30, at a location to be announced later this week. In addition, Ariens Nordic Center will be playing host to the 2024 Midwest Regional Summer Biathlon Championships, July 20-21, welcoming all Youth, Junior, Senior & Masters biathletes for two events on roller skis and additional running biathlon events. Visit AriensNordic.com for more information.

About Ariens Nordic Center
Ariens Nordic Center is located on 200 acres at the outskirts of Brillion, Wisconsin. The center is a year-round trail network for recreation, training, and competition for cross-country skiing, biathlon, roller-skiing, running, hiking, and more. The facility is open to the public and includes a 5k lighted trail network for cross-country skiing designed by Morton Trails, 20-point Kurvinen Biathlon Target System, a robust snowmaking system, 3k paved roller-ski loop for off-season training, and a 10-million-gallon pond for swimming and snowmaking purposes. Visit AriensNordic.com for more information.

About U.S. Biathlon
As the Olympic sports organization centered around the sport of biathlon, the United States Biathlon Association, known as U.S. Biathlon, is recognized by the International Biathlon Union (IBU) and the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee (USOPC) as the national federation for biathlon in the United States. Founded in 1980, U.S. Biathlon exists to support and encourage the development of biathlon in the United States, to work with biathlon clubs and regional centers around the country to organize training and competition from the grassroots to elite level, and to prepare athletes for international competition. U.S. Biathlon staffs and finances the U.S. Biathlon national and junior national teams and is a 501 c (3) non-profit organization. For more information, visit usbiathlon.org.