THE traditional winter sport of biathlon has been given a $100,000 boost with plans to make the Mt Hotham circuit a year-round activity and available to disabled athletes. The Victorian Government last week announced the funding for the Australian/Victorian Biathlon Association Inc as part of its Shooting Sports Facilities Program grant. The money will be used to build a sealed access track to allow all season, multi-purpose activity at Mt Hotham. The works will also include additional lanes on the range allowing access for training and competition all year, a larger number of competitors and access to disabled athletes who are presently excluded. Jaclyn Symes (MLC, Northern Victoria) said Victoria has a proud history of producing some of Australias top shooters, including Olympic champions Russell Mark, Deserie Baynes and Adam Vella. This grant will ensure that clubs in Benalla, Yarra Ranges, Numurkah, Pine Grove, Shepparton, Wangaratta, Wodonga, Mt Hotham, Strathbogie, Nagambie and Seymour clubs have the resources and the facilities they need to become more inclusive and sustainable, she said.