Photos and high-performance observations from last weekend's 2016 US Biathlon Rollerski Nationals at the Ethan Allen Firing Range in Jericho, Vt., held in hot and muggy temperatures. "When you stopped the whole body felt like [it was going] to explode," Bernd Eisenbichler noted.
Sean Doherty locked up silver in Saturday's junior sprint to become the most decorated athlete ever at IBU Youth/Junior World Championships, and another American, Maddie Phaneuf landed her second-straight top seven of the week.
Sean Doherty reached the podium in his first race of 2016 IBU Junior World Championships, placing third in the 15 k individual. Earlier on Thursday, another U.S. biathlete Maddie Phaneuf finished fifth in the women's 12.5 k individual. "It’s a prefect day," stated US Biathlon's Chief of Sport Bernd Eisenbichler.
Joanne Reid started shooting this summer after her family received a biathlon rifle that had been her grandfather's. After going to IBU Cup trials in December to "see what happened", Reid found herself in Europe, posting a top-20 and a clean sheet in Nove Mesto - then got called up to the World Cup in Ruhpolding, Germany, one of biathlon's craziest venues.
For Susan Dunklee, it felt really good to smell the roses again at the IBU World Cup in Pokljuka, Slovenia. She placed sixth for her best sprint result in two seasons, and three Canadian women, led by Rosanna Crawford in 23rd, qualified for the pursuit as well.
After the second set of US Biathlon trials in Jericho, Vt., three athletes have been selected to join five others at the national team's upcoming camp in Utah, preceding the World Cup team naming later this fall.
The second set of trials for US Biathlon's World Cup team takes place this weekend in Jericho, Vt., with sprints both Saturday and Sunday. Three women are in the mix for two openings for IBU World Cups 1, 2 and 3, and several men are competing for one remaining men's spot.
Jake Ellingson of Mount Itasca Biathlon turned heads in Jericho last weekend when he placed second - the top American - in the senior men's mass start. A first-year senior who is now training full time, he's looking for big things this winter.
With more than 80 athletes from over 25 different teams descending on Jericho, Vermont, it was an exciting weekend of rollerski biathlon competitions in the summer heat.
After just one year in the sport, Patrick Johnson and Max Durtschi saw enough success that they were named to the biathlon's national "X" team to help their further development. "A goal for next year is definitely to have some success on the IBU Cup," said Johnson, who won two national titles.
Russell Currier, Kelsey Dickinson, and Brian Halligan admit that they didn't have great results this season - so they understand why they weren't re-named to U.S. Biathlon Association training groups. But along with Casey Smith, who was also cut from the 'B' team, they have few options to improve their results and get back now that Maine Winter Sports Center is defunding travel and competition for senior athletes.
After last year's tryout camp netted a national champion (Patrick Johnson), an IBU Cup competitor (Max Durtschi), and some World Youth and Juniors competitors, US Biathlon is doing it again, looking for fast skiers who want to try the sport of biathlon.
Conway, New Hampshire, might not be surprised that yet again, Sean Doherty is bringing home a medal in his luggage from a major international competition. But after two years of winning at the youth level, making the podium as a junior is still a big accomplishment. Doherty starts Sunday's pursuit ten seconds out of first place.
Canada's Nathan Smith wasn't the only North American who tallied a career best in the men's IBU World Cup sprint on Saturday; Leif Nordgren of the U.S. finished 16th with 9-for-10 shooting and all three American men qualified for Sunday's pursuit.
Since building his confidence back at Open European Championships last week, Leif Nordgren is still on the rise, using just one spare on Friday to bring his team up to fourth in the IBU World Cup mixed relay. The Americans finished seventh and just 0.2 seconds from sixth.
He felt a little weird saying it, but Bernd Eisenbichler viewed Friday’s single mixed relay — a brand-new event which was first tested in Oslo last season — as a “good training opportunity” for US Biathlon's Annelies Cook and Tim Burke. The two teamed up for ninth on the first day of the IBU World Cup in Nove Mesto, Czech Republic.
For reasons as wide-ranging as fairness of competition, stress on athletes, health of coaches, and saving money, several North American ski and biathlon organizations have policies limiting the use of high-fluoro waxes at some competitions. And they have nothing but positive feedback from their experiences.
U.S. Biathlon, unlike some national teams, doesn't select its World Cup team each spring. Certain team members prequalify, but there were at least two spots up for grabs at the four-race rollerski trials held in August and October in Jericho, Vt. The final team was announced Tuesday, one month before the season starts in Sweden. (Updated)
Clare Egan and Max Durtschi have been promoted to the highest rung of U.S. Biathlon's Development structure, while Patrick Johnson, Kelsey Dickinson, Jakob Ellingson, and Paul Schommer have joined the Development Group.
Meet the 11 candidates up for nomination to U.S. Biathlon's X or development-group teams, from high-school upperclassmen to post grads.