Biathlon is a demanding winter sport that combines cross-country skiing with precision rifle shooting. Athletes must maintain high levels of endurance and focus, alternating between intense physical effort on the ski course and calm, controlled accuracy at the shooting range. In para-biathlon, athletes compete across different classifications, including sit-ski and vision-impaired categories, using adapted equipment and techniques suited to their needs.
Among the Australians leading the way in para-biathlon are Taryn Dickens and her guide Lynn Maree Cullen, who are part of a new generation working to re-establish Australia’s presence in the sport. As highlighted by Paralympics Australia, the national para-biathlon team is gaining momentum and aiming for a return to the Paralympic Winter Games for the first time since 2006.
Dickens and Cullen train year-round to develop the endurance, technique, and shooting precision required at the elite level. Their off-snow preparation takes place at the SSAA Victoria Wodonga Biathlon Facility, which features a dedicated biathlon range and roller-ski training area. The facility provides a vital base for their ongoing development, allowing them to replicate competition conditions and refine their skills before transitioning to snow training overseas.
Later this month, the pair will travel to Canmore, Canada, to compete in qualification events for the 2026 Paralympic Winter Games in Italy. These races will be an important opportunity to test their form against international competitors and to continue building towards potential Paralympic selection.
SSAA Victoria is proud to support Taryn and Lynn Maree as they pursue their Paralympic goals, providing sponsorship and access to the Wodonga Biathlon Facility as part of its commitment to developing biathlon in Australia.
As the pair prepare to compete in Canada, they carry with them the dedication, teamwork, and determination that are helping to strengthen Australia’s presence in para-biathlon on the world stage.