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LIIDLII KUE/FORT SIMPSON - Six cadets from Fort Simpson will soon be putting a month's worth of training to the test.

Warrant Officer Charlene Deneyoua, Pte. Lonnie Wright, Cadet Alicia Norris, Master Cpl. Brandon Norris, Master Cpl. Alex Porter and Pte. Alex Roche, from the 2860 Royal Canadian Army Cadet Corps, will be representing the village at the 2008 Northern Region Cadet Biathlon Competition in Whitehorse from Dec. 4 to 7. The four-day event will bring together approximately 70 cadets from 11 communities in the Yukon, NWT and Nunavut.

Cadet Warrant Officer Charlene Deneyoua, front, assists Cadet Alicia Norris with zeroing her rifle and making sight adjustments during a practice session. Deneyoua and Norris are two members of the six-person team that will be participating in the 2008 Northern Region Cadet Biathlon Competition. - Roxanna Thompson/NNSL photo

The cadets are all vying for the six positions on the Northern Region cadet team that will compete in the National Cadet Biathlon Championship in Valcartier, Que. in March 2009.

Two years ago cadets from Fort Simpson filled all three male positions on the Northern Region team. Last year the cadets did well individually but none placed on the team, said Lieut. Diane Porter, who coaches the team.

This year Porter is optimistic about the cadets' performances. Three of the team members, Charlene Deneyoua, Brandon Norris and Alicia Norris competed in the Arctic Winter Games as biathletes. Brandon was also one of the cadets who made the Northern Region team in 2006.

"I think they stand a very good chance," said Porter.

She also has high expectations for the three other team members.

Pte. Lonnie Wright, who competed at the regional level last year, said she enjoys the marksmanship aspect of the competition.

"I hope the team will do good," said Wright.

For Pte. Alex Roche skiing, the other major component of biathlon, is the draw. Roche said he's looking forward to the trip despite being a bit nervous about the competition.

The four-day event includes two days of training and practise before the cadets compete in individual and team races.

The Fort Simpson team was chosen based on their marksmanship abilities, level of physical fitness, attendance and attitude, said Porter. Marksmanship is a year-round part of the cadet program, but the team members have held extra practices on Sundays for the past month.

To prepare for the competition the cadets have been jogging before shooting so they get used to the effects of an accelerated heart rate, Porter said.

Although the cadets all go in hoping for a medal the competition has a number of other benefits, she said.

"It's a positive, fun, developmental experience as well, whether or not they place on the national team," Porter said.