<html><head><style type='text/css'>p { margin: 0; }</style></head><body><div style='font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt; color: #000000'>Hey Biathletes,<br>Swix has come out with some non slip grip <span style="font-weight: bold;">biathlon pole straps </span>which I've tried out in 4 races in MN. They work well, better than the simple webbing only biathlon straps. They're available at Boulder Nordic Sport.<br><br>Also Snow Mtn Ranch has a selection of two kinds of <span style="font-weight: bold;">rifle bags </span>at reasonable prices. These have the clear window over the bolt, as specified by IBU rules. One is a heavier duty deluxe Swix version and the other is a lighter less fully featured Madshus version at half the price. Check them out on Sunday after the Sprint race.<br><br>Bill Quinlan<br></div></body></html>