CHARLOTTE Mincher competed in both planned events for Great Britain at the World Junior Biathlon Championships despite damaging her rifle almost immediately in her first race.

The 17-year-old, who was born and raised in Canada but competes for Great Britain as her parents are from Barnsley, was racing in Sweden in the sport which combines cross country skiing with rifle shooting.

Charlotte crashed on the first lap of the first race and broke her rifle.

She said: “It was a day with some highs and lows.

“A high was standing on the start line at my second World Junior Championships.

“A low was when I crashed on my first lap and broke my rifle, although I’m lucky that’s all I broke as it was a nasty crash. A high was when the biathlon community showed me what it means to be a member and rallied around me showing support and helping me get a new rifle so I can race.”

In the next race, the 6k sprint event, she finished 97th. She said: “I shot clean at the worlds using a brand new rifle I have had two days.

“I was the fastest person on the course to shoot clean and the 13th fastest shoot.

“My ski speed wasn’t what it needed to be and I need to work on that this year.”

Charlotte also competed for Great Britain in the team event.