THIRTY-TWO athletes from the Dorset Pentathletes squad will make the journey north to Macclesfield this weekend to take part in the National Biathlon Championships.

Dorset will field nine teams in the various age categories and they will be hoping to repeat the success of last year when they gained the tag of the top club in the country by bagging a total of six gold medals, several silvers and a bronze.

Coach Mick Flaherty said: “The team have been working hard over the past couple of months and with several key athletes missing due to school exams and injuries, we know we are going to have to all perform to be top club again.

“A few of the younger athletes will be taking part in the Nationals for the first time and I am sure they will rise to the occasion. Hopefully, we will come home with a few team gold medals and once again be crowned as the best team in the country like in 2007 and 2008.”