Sharpening their shot on the slopes

After a slow start to the snow season, fresh powder finally blanketed the slopes of Mount Hotham as women from across the ADF gathered for the annual Biathlon Women's Development Camp (WDC).

Combining cross-country skiing with precision rifle shooting, biathlon has its origins in Nordic military border patrols, where soldiers traversed snow-covered terrain on skis with rifles slung across their backs.

Biathlon coach LCDR Heather Wiederkehr said it was one of the few sports with a direct military component.

“For us, it's a .22 calibre rifle on a 50-metre range, so we're developing marksmanship skills,” LCDR Wiederkehr said

“While only a small number of our personnel may need to deploy to or operate in alpine environments, for those who do, being able to ski is an essential capability.”

Nordic skiing and biathlon has been an official ADF sport since 1978, but this year's camp marked the second iteration of the triservice WDC, building on a Navy initiative launched in 2019.

“The WDC started originally in Navy because Navy had difficulty fielding a full women's senior team,” LCDR Wiederkehr said.

“The idea was to increase female participation in the sport. 

“We also recognised that some women might prefer learning a highly challenging new skill in an environment where they are supported by other women.”

The three-day camp brought together participants from across Navy, Army and Air Force, including a wide range of ranks, roles and experience levels. 

Some arrived as experienced alpine skiers or with previous biathlon experience, while others had never set foot on skis before.

Participants were coached by OCDT Darcie Morton – Australia's only biathlete to qualify for the 2026 Winter Olympics – alongside LCDR Wiederkehr, an APSI Level 2 instructor currently expanding her coaching credentials.

They were also supported by ADF trainee biathlon instructors completing Exercise Cool Train, allowing participants to benefit from a broad coaching team while also allowing the next generation of snow sport instructors to gain valuable teaching experience.

“We always start with the basics. Introduction to equipment, how to fall and get up, and then we build from there,” LCDR Wiederkehr said.

“We always aspire to live fire, but it doesn’t always work.” 

Army band member MUSN Wenona Campbell returned for a second year after taking part in both the 2025 WDC and Exercise Cool Shot – a two-week triservice biathlon camp open to all genders that culminates in a competition across several divisions, including novice and seniors/open (rifle carrying).

“I'd never skied cross-country before last year, and now I'm comfortable on skis and able to compete in biathlon,” MUSN Campbell said.

“I've done a lot of downhill skiing and some snowboarding, but biathlon is much more intense because of the cardiovascular demands. 

“Then there's the added challenge of having to shoot accurately while your heart rate is elevated.

“So it's more challenging, but it's also really lovely skiing through the mountains and forests and being away from the crowds.”

On the third day of the WDC, participants practised marksmanship using EcoAims electronic targets at the Whiskey Flat Biathlon Range, which was built in the early 1990s through a joint effort between the Army's 22nd Construction Regiment and the Telemark Ski Club.

For MUSN Campbell, the shooting component proved especially valuable.

“My shooting skills improved significantly. As a reservist in the Band Corps, I don't always get many opportunities to train on weapons,” she said.

For ACW Joanne Angus, who was completely new to biathlon, the camp's greatest value laid in its mental demands.

“I quickly realised it's far more than just learning a new sport,” ACW Angus said. 

“Being fatigued while operating in unfamiliar conditions and navigating through unfamiliar terrain pushed me outside my limits.

“While it's very different from the activities I do in my day-to-day service, the mindset is remarkably similar – making decisions while you're exhausted, pushing yourself to keep going and supporting those around you.

“The rare opportunity to work alongside Army and Navy and the value of working as a joint team was also equally rewarding.” 

OCDT Morton said one of her most rewarding aspects of the camp was helping fellow Defence members develop new skills.

“The women are so enthusiastic and eager to learn,” she said.

“I love seeing how much they improve in such a short period of time.”

LCDR Wiederkehr agreed.

“I love when people arrive on day one convinced they can't do something, and then by day three they're doing the very skill they were worried about,” she said.

“By the end of the WDC, almost everyone is capable of completing a cross-country race.

“They might not be particularly fast or have perfect technique, but they can confidently and competently finish it.”

For those who want to stay on, the WDC serves as a stepping stone into Cool Shot.

“If you can stay, it's a great opportunity to get a head start and then roll straight into Exercise Cool Shot,” MUSN Campbell said.