20-for-20 with Lexie Madigan

In an effort to showcase the North Americans competing at this past week’s International Biathlon Union (IBU) 2018 Youth and Junior World Championships in Otepää, Estonia, we asked those qualifying athletes several questions about themselves — actually, we had them fill in the blanks. Here we have 16-year-old Lexie Madigan, who represented the United States at her first Youth World Championships.

Over the last week, Madigan placed 70th in the youth women’s 6 k sprint, 83rd in the 10 k individual and 18th with the 3 x 6 k relay.

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My full name is Margaret Lexie Madigan but you can call me Margie.

I was born and raised in Nevada City, California, and I learned to ski at the Auburn Ski Club.

Lexie Madigan racing (Courtesy photo)I spent the time between World Youth/Junior trials and Worlds training at home in California and competing on the Junior IBU Cup circuit.

The funnest workout I did in the last training year to prepare for this was when I played speedball at the beach with the Sugar Bowl Nordic Ski Team.

One thing I’m working on this season to improve my biathlon is learning to shoot in the cold weather.

This is my first time in Estonia and seventh time racing internationally, and so far it’s been the greatest experience! 

One difference I’ve noticed between Estonia and the United States is that it is a lot colder (at least colder than California).

One of the things I’m most excited about for World Youth/Junior Championships in Otepää is all of the fast skiers and hard competition!

One race I’m especially targeting there is the sprint.

Watching the Olympics in the leadup to my own races was inspiring. One of my favorite moments of the Games was when Jessie and Kikkan won the Cross Country Team Sprint. I want to be like Jessie Diggins, because she showed that the race isn’t over until you cross the finish line and never gives up.

At Worlds, I really hope I can chat/make friends with someone from France and ask them if they know Martin Fourcade’s secrets.

My favorite thing at the breakfast where we are staying is Magic Mushroom Chocolate Bar.

Before this trip, if you said “Estonia”, the first thing I’d think of would have been, Where is that?

Now that I’m here, I’m pretty sure something I’ll always remember will be how impressive and large the venue is. 

If I had a totally free day here and didn’t have to worry about race fitness or training, I’d spend it going to visit all of the castles in Tallinn.

The best way to follow me on social media is on Instagram @lexiemadigan or Snapchat @lexie.xc.”