Kevin Patzoldt Makes Final Selection for 2009 Biathlon World Cup Team

The International Competition Committee of the US Biathlon Association is pleased to announce that Kevin Patzoldt of Grand Rapids, MN will be named as the 5th man for the US World Cup team. Kevin is a graduate of Gustavus Adolfus College and has been training full time with coach Vladimir Cervenka at Mt Itasca Biathlon for the past year and half. Kevin is a veteran of several World Junior Championship Teams, and has competed several times on the Europa Cup, but this will be his first experience at the World Cup. The December WC Team will compete in WC 1 Ostersund, Sweden, WC 2 Hochfiltzen, Austria and WC 3 Poklujka, Slovenia.

The selection the WC Team was very difficult to make because of the depth of the field competing for the final spot on the WC team. A number of athletes were in the running for this final spot. Selection was based on national team staff discretion and the results of the rollerski biathlon races at Soldier Hollow, Utah, October 19 and 21, and the Summer Festival rollerski races in Jericho, Vermont, August 8‐9. The Soldier Hollow races were more heavily weighted than the Jericho races. Race series percent back, ski speed, and shooting percentages were also considered, as well subjective assessment of ski technique and on snow ski speed.

Kevin had excellent races in Soldier Hollow, breaking out with a 1st place finish in the 20km Individual race. He shot an impressive 19 for 20 on the range and squeeked out a 7 second victory over the top ranked US biathlete, Tim Burke. The 20km clearly Patzoldt’s specialty, and he will have the opportunity to race two of them in the December World Cups. Coach Cervenka was clearly excited on hearing of Patzoldt’s nomination to the World Cup Team, “Kevin has worked really hard for this‐ he really wants it. His skiing is much better this year, and he has been one of the best US shooters for several years. We will continue to focus on the skiing‐ I know he can continue to improve.”

The Women’s World Cup Team, made up Haley Johnson, Sara Studebaker, and Lanny Barnes were nominated to the December World Cup team based on 2008‐9 World Cup results. On the Men’s side, Tim Burke, Jay Hakkinen, Jeremy Teela and Lowell Bailey were also nominated to the December World Cup team based on 2008‐9 World Cup results. The International Competition Committee would like to congratulate Kevin Patzoldt for his excellent performances at the Soldier Hollow rollerski biathlon races. The National Team staff look forward to working with Kevin.

Athletes not qualified for the December World Cup will have another chance to qualify for the Olympics through the IBU Cup Selection races at Mt Itasca, MN, Dec 12‐21. Mt Itasca will also being playing host to the Junior/Youth World Championship Trials, December 19‐21.

Piotr Bednarski
Chair, International Competition Committee
US Biathlon Association

Source: USBA