MEDIA ADVISORY: For immediate release
February 15, 2022
Chief of the National Guard Biathlon Race held at Camp Ripley of the Minnesota National Guard

Little Falls, Minnesota – Beginning last Saturday, Camp Ripley hosts the annual National Guard Biathlon Race Chief, with more than 120 competitors from 20 states competing for the championship.

“We are always thrilled to host this event on base,” said Army Brig. Gen. Lowell Kruse, the deputy adjutant general of the Minnesota National Guard and the senior commandant of Camp Ripley. “We love watching these service members show off their athletic abilities and being able to provide them with great facilities and support while they’re here.”

Competitors will train and race on Camp Ripley’s dedicated biathlon range for five days. This biathlon consists of four races: the 30-second interval sprint race, the 14-second interval pursuit race, the relay race, and the unique patrol race designed to reflect a specific military operation. Biathlon training assists Soldiers and Airmen by working on important skills required of a service member, such as physical fitness and marksmanship.

“The National Guard is always looking to lead the way in how to incorporate new ways of training, and I think biathlon racing is a perfect place to do that,” Kruse added. “Camp Ripley provides the perfect conditions to be able to train in a cold weather environment and shoot in a stressful environment.”

“Our Minnesota National Guard Biathlon Team is a diverse group, made up of four women and seven men and is a mix of officers and enlisted,” said Army Chief Warrant Officer 4 Derek Lindberg. , an athlete who coordinates the Minnesota team with National Guard Biathlon Headquarters. in Vermont. “And to add to the value the Minnesota National Guard places on partnerships, four Croatian military personnel joined the competition. We have been fortunate to train alongside our military partners for over 25 years.

“The National Guard has three biathletes currently competing in the 2022 Winter Olympics,” Lindberg said.

These service members come from other states. Minnesota National Guard athlete, Army Sgt. Jakob Ellingson, participates as a competitor. He won the Minnesota Best Warrior Contest, competed in the National Best Warrior Contest, and most recently, in December, graduated from Ft. Benning Ranger School in Georgia.

“I’m grateful to the Guard because they gave me so many interesting opportunities to go and do certain things,” Ellingson said. “I got to compete in Croatia and even some cool places here at home. Fitness is a huge thing at Army Schools, so getting fit and training for a biathlon helped.

NOTE: Members of the media are invited to attend and film the competition beginning at noon Thursday, February 17. Media must arrive by 11:15 a.m. They will be escorted to the range where they can capture video and photos of the patrol run. Biathlon participants from Ellingson and Minnesota will be available for interviews. To confirm your attendance on February 17, members of the event media can contact 1stLt. Will Hermanson at [email protected] or 651-435-3180.

-About the Minnesota National Guard-
Founded in 1856 and based in St. Paul, the Minnesota National Guard has more than 13,000 Soldiers and Airmen who serve in 58 communities across the state. Citizen Soldiers and Minnesota National Guard Airmen are “always ready” to fight national wars, protect the country, respond to state emergencies and contribute to local communities. For more information on the Minnesota National Guard, visit https://MinnesotaNationalGuard.ng.mil.

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