Australia’s largest-ever Winter Youth Olympic Games (WYOG) team will compete in Gangwon, South Korea, from 19 January to 1 February 2024.
The Gangwon 2024 Winter Youth Olympic Games will see 1900 athletes from over 70 nations compete across 7 sports, 15 disciplines and 81 events.
A 47-strong Australian team, from across the country, will compete across eight disciplines, and one of those competing is Lane Cove’s Ava McCann in Biathlon.
The Winter Youth Olympic Games will be extra special for Ava as her mother is Korean.
The seventeen-year-old said she was thrilled to be selected for the team and looks forward to competing in front of her Korean family.
“The Olympic Rings are the most powerful symbol of international friendship and cooperation, and to represent Australia at the Youth Olympic Games in Korea has been a lifelong dream of mine,” Ava said.
“I am looking forward to getting to Gangwon and continuing to develop the great friendships I have made training and racing in Biathlon, and of course, to have my Korean family watch me race!”
Before becoming involved in Biathlon, a 10-year-old Ava became the youngest Kyokushin World Federation black belt. She has also won 15 national titles.
What is Biathlon?
Biathlon is a skiing event where competitors combine cross-country skiing and rifle shooting.
According to the Gangwon Winter Youth Olympics Official Website:
“The participating athletes are required to go round a course and shoot; after repeating this four times, they must complete another round to finish the race. The shooting includes two shots in prone position and another two in standing position, to hit five targets. The distance to the targets is 50 metres (160 feet), with the size of the round-shaped targets being 45mm (1.8”) in the prone position and 115mm (4.5”) in the standing position.”
Ava will compete in the following races:
- Women’s 6km Sprint
- Women’s 10km Individual
- Mixed Relay 4x6km (W+M)
- Single Mixed Relay 6km(W)+7.5km(M)
We asked Ava some questions about how she developed an interest in Biathlon (which is not the usual sport most Lane Cove kids compete in).
When Did You First Start Competing in Biathlon?
When I was in Year 5, my mum asked me to make up a school cross-country ski team. I really didn’t want to do it! I was an alpine skier and cross country looked too hard. Now I like to try to beat the chairlift up the hill!
About four years ago, a friend of mine introduced me to laser biathlon. I liked the shooting, which kept me going with cross-country skiing. Now it’s the other way round!
When Did Your First Compete in a Biathlon Race
My first biathlon race ever was in January 2020 in Austria – it was a regional Austrian event, and I came last by miles! I was just happy that I made it to the end. I think they started packing everything up before I finished!
How Do You Transition from Skiing to Shooting Where You Need Steady Hands?
I like to slow down my skiing well before I come into the range to shoot so I can slow down my heart rate. I also have quite a few mantras that I like to use.
When I was going for my black belt in karate, I went through an agonising ten-hour grading. It was so difficult I gave myself the mantra “I never want to go through this again” to help me endure the pain. This doesn’t work for biathlon because I love it so much!
It Must Get Cold Lying Down to Shoot; How Do You Protect Yourself from the Cold
We don’t get cold with biathlon because skiing uphill is such hard work. I think if you’re cold when you come into the range, you are not skiing hard enough!
One of the problems with shooting when it’s cold is getting your trigger finger frozen. I used to cut the finger off my glove, which was ok to do in Australia but it’s not such a good idea overseas.
I sometimes use heated mittens or skimo over-mitts – I can flip the top part off the mittens and then use the gloves I am wearing underneath like normal!
Where Do You Train?
I haven’t spent much time in Sydney over the last year.
At home, I mostly roller-ski, shoot at Sydney International Shooting Centre, run (especially at the beach on sand, or in the bush with ski poles), and do balance and agility work at the gym.
Every time I roller-ski, at least one person stops me to ask what I am doing! Roller skis look so weird. During the Australian winter, I live at Mount Hotham, which is the only place in Australia with a biathlon range.
Did Your Find Your Martial Arts Background Helped You with Biathlon?
I started karate and alpine skiing when I was three, which built my base fitness, but I think the most important thing I took from karate was the “never give up” attitude that I still strive to live by. It helps me push past the pain barrier when it gets tough.
Are You a Member of any Lane Cove Sports Clubs?
I trained at an elite gym called Athletes Authority in Artarmon very close to Lane Cove. I am a member of NSWXC, and we do a lot of training at Lane Cove National Park. There is a great bike track that I like to use that goes all the way home from Willoughby.
Has a Lane Cove Local Inspired You?
Emily Champion is an Australian Cross Country Skier who also went to Winona; she is a few years older than me.
Emily gave me my first lesson on skis, and I still look up to her as an athlete.
Years later, I discovered that she lives around the corner from me in Lane Cove!
Who Are Your Sporting Idols?
My sporting idols are people like golfer Bobby Jones who self-reported a penalty that cost him a major tournament. I also admire Pele and other athletes who overcame great hardship – I believe their hardships made them stronger. Simone Biles and Naomi Osaka for their stance on mental health. And, of course, the Matildas, like every other Aussie!
What Do You Do When You’re Not Training?
I love music, and I love to sing and write songs and poetry. I also enjoy looking at race results statistics and making projections for future races. But my favourite thing that I like to do when I’m not training is eat – biathletes burn a lot of calories!
How Hard is it to Be a Top Athlete and a Student?
I will be starting year 11 at Wenona in 2024. Last year my schoolwork was non-existent, and I found it impossible to balance being an athlete and student; I am very lucky that Wenona is so supportive.
How Long Have You Lived in Lane Cove?
About eight years.
What Do You Like About Living in Lane Cove?
I think the Lane Cove village has a great atmosphere. I also like how it’s close to the city but still far enough away to be leafy.
What is Your Favourite Place to Eat in Lane Cove?
Four Frogs Creperie! I love going there and ordering a buckwheat galette and dessert crepe in French!
Good luck Ava.
Gangwon 2024 Fast Facts are available here.
You can watch the 2024 Youth Winter Olympic Games on 9Now.
Photo Credits: International Biathlon Union.
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