Following the final week of training in Finland and three days of rollerski races at the coveted Blink Festival in Norway, U.S. Biathlon coach Jonne Kähkönen gives an across-the-pond update from his native Finland.
Following the final week of training in Finland and three days of rollerski races at the coveted Blink Festival in Norway, U.S. Biathlon coach Jonne Kähkönen gives an across-the-pond update from his native Finland.
A staple on the World Cup and the U.S. relay team, biathlete Leif Nordgren feels "more set" for the Olympics than last time around, when he was still a junior but trying the qualification process anyway. He told us about a good summer of training, changes in shooting, and navigating ski testing, boredom, and mashed-potato snow in the Oberhof ski tunnel.
Leaving their rifles at home, the U.S. biathlon team is in Bend and today addresses a question that many skiers face come spring: how do you tackle the first couple overdistance workouts after a break? How long should they be, and what activity is best? Coaches Per Nilsson and Jonne Kahkonen assigned a three to four hour classic OD, and gave us their tips.
Tim Burke ended America's 26-year medal draught at World Championships on Thursday by claiming a silver medal in the 20 k individual. "I was crying in the woods," said his coach Per Nilsson. It was both a historic day for U.S. Biathlon and a momentous personal triumph for Burke in a season of up and down results.
Sean Doherty achieved a personal best and made U.S. history on Friday, placing second in the 7.5 k sprint opener at the IBU Youth/Junior World Championships in Obertilliach, Austria. Just 3.6 seconds out of first, Doherty was still soaking up the result.