BIATHLON: Darcie Morton has continued her strong form ahead of the Lillehammer 2016 Winter Youth Olympic Games after claiming adding another podium finish to her recent list of impressive results.

Competing at the Italian Biathlon Championships in Val di Fiemme, the East Gippsland athlete finished eighth and third in the two U17 5km events. 

Morton shot clean in the opening shoot of her first event but had to use all of her three spare bullets to achieve the result in both the prone and standing shooting positions and avoid the 150m penalty loop.

She went on to finish less than 1 minute behind the winner in what was a tight event where not being clean and quick on the range was costly.

Morton produced a better result in her second event of the weekend. She shot 1, 2 penalties which was one shot more than the athletes ahead of her as she went on to claim the last spot on the podium 48 seconds behind the winner.

Italy has a very strong female development program from juniors to World Cup level and Darcie’s age category was most competitive with athletes vying for Youth Olympic selection.