Northern Ontario Area Cadet Biathlon Competition

Camille Kennedy is hoping that a scene she saw in an old James Bond movie eventually leads to a spot on the Canadian Olympic team. The 15-year-old Kennedy, who lives in Lively, near Sudbury, turned in an impressive performance Saturday at the 2001 Northern Ontario Area (NOA) Cadet Biathlon Competition at the Algoma Rod & Gun Club.

The two-day event, which began Saturday, brought together over 150 Northern Ontario cadets representing air, sea and army corps and squadrons

Competitors, hoping to win a spot in the Regional Cadet Biathlon Feb. 10-11 in the Sault, ranged in age from 12 to 18 years.

Biathlon combines cross-country skiing and small-bore rifle marksmanship. Not only are competitors striving for speed while they ski, they also seek to display a high level of accuracy, shooting at targets from a prone position. Final results are determined by combining the efforts in both disciplines.

Kennedy led her team to a 3-by-6-kilometre relay gold medal with a superb performance. In fact, her individual time of 23:42.0, was not only tops among the girls, it was also the best time overall.

Along with teammates Jennifer Pattenden and Alanna Ranger, Kennedy will now focus on striking gold at the upcoming regionals.

``It's a very unique sport, I love it to bits,'' said Kennedy, who was introduced to the sport while watching television. ``I first saw the biathlon on a James Bond movie when I was 11 or 12 years old. Then I watched it on the Olympics and I wanted to get involved.''

A third-year member of the Royal Canadian Army Cadet Corps (RCACC), Kennedy had learned how to fire an air rifle at her family's camp when she was three. She was also an experienced cross-country skier, having enjoyed the sport from an early age.

``I just thought if I put them together, something good would come of it,'' she said.

Something has.

Kennedy brought an impressive resume to Sault Ste. Marie. A year ago, she was ranked as the third overall female in the province, while placing first among junior-aged (12-14) competitors in Ontario and fifth in Canada.

Her goal is to win a spot on Canada's biathlon team for the 2006 Winter Games.

``I think my chances are pretty good but it will takes lots and lots of work,'' said Kennedy, who finished fourth at the 2000 Ontario Winter Games here last March. ``I need to be more accurate in my shooting and I need to be in excellent (physical) condition. But, if I did make it, it'd be the best moment of my whole life, just to know I was part of Team Canada.''

Naughton also won the boys' 3-by-6 km relay gold medal behind the efforts of team members Max Merrifield, Correy White and Tyler Punkkinen.

Sault air cadets teams finished sixth in both classes. The girls' team consisted of Brandy Boychuk, Chelsea Mills and Tia Binda. Matthew McLeod, Alex Witty and Patrick Gallant made up the boys' team.

McLeod was impressive in the individual races and, as one of the top four boys overall, won a spot in next month's regionals.