For Matthew Hudec, the challenges of competing in Europe as a member of Canada鈥檚 biathlon team is something that鈥檚 he grown more accustomed to over the years.
鈥淚 made my first trip over there in 2014, so the nervousness that I had when I made that initial journey to Europe has gone away and it鈥檚 been replaced with the excitement that comes with going over there to race,鈥� Hudec said.
鈥淚 think the biggest thing that athletes struggle with when they head over is the time change and getting used to having different food along with the other things you deal with when you travel. However, once you are at the race venue, the skiing and shooting is still the same as it is over here in Canada. It鈥檚 just the day-to-day stuff that can be a little bit different.鈥�
Hudec kicked off his season last weekend in Lenzerheide, Switzerland, where he finished eighth in a mixed relay event, 54th in a men鈥檚 10-kilometer sprint competition and 57th in the men鈥檚 12.5km pursuit race.
He earned his spot on the national team at Canadian selection trials event in Canmore, Alta. from Nov. 7 to 10, where he finished fifth overall.
鈥淭hat meet in Canmore was probably the best I鈥檝e raced in that competition,鈥� Hudec said. 鈥淚t gives me a lot of extra confidence as I head over for this year in Europe.鈥�
Hudec is joined by seven teammates on Canada鈥檚 International Biathlon Union Cup team, which will be back in action this weekend in Obertilliach, Austria.
鈥淚t鈥檚 the level just before the World Cup, so you have a number of athletes like myself who have jumped up and down between the two,鈥� Hudec said. 鈥淭he best thing I can compare it to is the jump between the American Hockey League and the National Hockey League.
鈥淚鈥檝e been lucky enough to compete in a couple of World Cup events over the last couple of years, but I haven鈥檛 had the results yet to stay up with that team.鈥�
Following his event in Austria, Hudec will be travelling back to Saskatchewan on Dec. 18 in order to write an exam and spend time with his family over Christmas in North Battleford before getting back into the competitive scene.
鈥淭he only way that would change would be if I was in contention for a spot at on the Winter Olympics team that鈥檚 heading to 麻豆视频 Korea in February,鈥� Hudec said.
鈥淒epending on how things go, I鈥檒l either head back to Europe in early January to compete in more events, or I鈥檒l be heading back to Canmore for another set of selection trials on Dec. 31.鈥�
While he鈥檚 waiting to find out the rest of his schedule, Hudec as set some goals for himself to be in the best position possible for a good season.
鈥淚 just need to take care of everything that鈥檚 in my control,鈥� Hudec said.
鈥淭hat included staying healthy, skiing as fast as I possibly can and taking care of business on the shooting range by staying focused and hitting the targets.鈥�
