For Immediate Release, Contact: Jerry Kokesh 314-532-5367 (mobile)
USBA Board Meeting Focuses on Athlete Development
Pineland Farms, New Gloucester, ME, September 26. Our number one objective is to support our current athletes, but very close behind that is the need to support and develop a new generation of athletes that will keep our sport strong and growing, was Chairman Larry Pughs statment on athlete development at the fall meeting of the US Biathlon Association Board of Directors today.
Pughs comment followed the announcement by US Biathlon Executive Director Max Cobb that Piotr Bednarski of St. Louis Park, Minnesota is the USBAs Athlete Development Director effective today. Bednarskis responsibilities include working with development coaches and regional training centers and at the same time, bringing the best high school and collegiate cross-country skiers into a well-structured program to help them become biathletes.
As the father of Minnesota Biathlon and the person who developed the concept of regional training centers in the US, Bednarski is well suited for his new position. In his presentation to the USBA Board, Bednarski commented that he would draw off the successes of the late nineties up to 2002, but also would try to solve the biggest problem of athlete retention. He stated, We have to find ways to develop a program that allows athletes to complete their educational goals while continuing to do biathlon, and at the same time make the transition from the junior level to senior an effective, seamless process.
To start this process, Bednarski and Cobb will meet shortly with the regional development coaches to plan their strategy, which will include recruiting camps, visiting ski carnivals, and setting athlete quotas for each region. Cobb commented, We always exceeded our athlete recruiting quotas in the years prior to 2003, so with a well executed recruiting plan and good program to present to the athletes, this should not be a problem now.
Other agenda items today included updates on athlete training and preparation for the coming season, IBU and USOC relations, and fundraising.
Just hours after the completion of the first US Biathlon/NENSA Golf tournament, Marketing Chairman Andy Shepard announced that the fundraiser was a rousing success. The tournament, dinner, and auctions netted more than $25,000, which will go directly to support association programs.
On the heels of this successful event, a new fund raising program, the USBA Gold Medal Campaign was unveiled. This annual program will support US Biathlons efforts to win the first Olympic Biathlon medal at the 2010 Olympic Winter Games in Vancouver. The program will focus on securing contributions from both the biathlon and corporate communities.
As the meeting adjourned, Cobb commented, I feel like all of the planning and work over the past 5 months came together with todays meeting. Our National Team training is going well; a new qualifying criteria system is in place; we have set in motion a plan for athlete development, had an enormously successful fund raising event, and we now have consolidated our operations here in Pineland, after finishing our final annual audit in Vermont. This has been a very satisfying day.
The United States Biathlon Association is the National Governing Body for the sport of Biathlon in the United States as recognized by the United States Olympic Committee and the International Biathlon Union. The US Biathlon Association supports the US Biathlon Team and development of the sport on all levels within the United States.
TD Banknorth is the title sponsor of the US Biathlon Team. Lapua, adidas, the Hilton Family of Hotels and Exel Ski Poles are supporting sponsors of the US Biathlon Team.
Vuokatti, FIN Three Maine Winter Sports Center athletes traveled to Finland to ski indoors last week. That's right skiing indoors. For many in the Nordic skiing world, this is not news. But for most of the general public, skiing indoors seems a rare phenomenon, indeed.
Coach Will Sweetser led David Chamberlain, Tom Keefe and Russell Currier to Vuokatti Finland for a training camp at the now world famous DNA Ski Tunnel. At just over 1.2 kilometers in length, the tunnel gives skiers almost 2.5 kilometers of challenging terrain on an out and back lap. The tunnel was built above ground alongside the ski trails at the Vuokatti Sport Center and then covered over with dirt and shrubs. It follows the same hills and turns as a normal ski trail, but it is refrigerated to a temperature of -5C year round. This provides excellent skiing on manmade snow and gives skiers a chance to develop "snow touch" even in the very early pre-season.
"We've had a great camp here," said Sweetser. "These three guys should be back on snow within 6 or 7 weeks, so we're aiming at technical development they can hold on to until then."
According to Keefe, the chance to ski early is a big part of his training plan this year.
"I started skiing a bit later than most of the guys I race. So, spending time on snow is probably the most important thing I can do at this point," said Keefe.
Chamberlain, Keefe and Currier spent 9 days on snow during this camp. Sweetser plans to bring the MWSC Cross-Country squad back to Finland in late October for the final build up to the race season.
A few photos from the tunnel:
Tom Keefe
Russell Currier
David Chamberlain
While attending the International Biathlon Union Congress last week in the Siberian city of Khanty-Mansiysk, I suffered a stroke. After being stabilized in a Russian hospital I was flown to a hospital in Helsinki that specializes in strokes.
Doctors in Finland assure me that I will make a full recovery and that is what I am focused on now. Without the quick action of US Team doctor Jim Carrabre and USBA Executive Director Max Cobb however, the outcome would have been dramatically different. They essentially willed their way through a very resistant Russian medical facility to ensure that I got the proper treatment.
I was discharged from the hospital today and am awaiting clearance to fly home, which I expect to happen later this week.
I'd like to sincerely thank all of you who have called and emailed to comfort my family. Your support has been a most humbling blessing and it will not be forgotten.
I am looking forward to resuming my work soon.
For full details and a registration form, please
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Caribou, ME - The Maine Winter Sports Center (MWSC) is pleased to announce the addition of Bill Haggett to its Board of Directors. "We are extremely fortunate to have someone of Bill's stature on our Team," said Brian Hamel, Chairman of the MWSC Board. "I have had the honor and privilege of knowing and working with Bill for nearly 25 years and we are looking forward to benefiting from his wisdom, commitment to excellence, creativity, passion and high level of integrity. Without question, his input will bring us to new heights"
"I have admired the development of winter sports in northern Maine over the past few years," said Haggett. "The Libra Foundation and the MWSC have been the visionary forces making it all possible. They deserve tremendous credit for their accomplishments thus far and I can only hope to play a part in helping strengthen their programs in the future."
Haggett is the former CEO of Bath Iron Works and Irving's Saint Johns Shipyard. He is also a former partner in Sugarloaf USA and is currently the CEO of Pineland Farms Meats, a natural beef producer headquartered at Pineland farms in New Gloucester, Maine.
"Bill has been an important ear for me over the years and I am excited to have him formally added to the MWSC board," says Andy Shepard, MWSC President and founder. "He has a proven business mind, but he also understands Maine and its people in a way that few others do. He will be a very strong addition to the team."
Haggett will be replacing Larry Pugh, who stepped down to become chairman of the United States Biathlon Association.
Athletes from around Aroostook County and Southern Maine gathered in Ft. Kent for the summer's first training camp. A well energized staff from the Maine Winter Sports Center and U.S. Biathlon Team greeted the athletes as they arrived at the Lodge, the University of Maine-Fort Kent's new dorm.
Focusing on the basics body position in both classic and skate skiing and the proper position for biathlon shooting were high on the list. "We're trying to drill the basic fundamentals. If the athletes can learn these then we can build off of this foundation and we'll see some great improvements," stated MWSC Coach Will Sweetser.
Cody, WY--MWSC Cross-country athletes just finished the first camp of the training year in Northwestern Wyoming's Beartooth Mountains. Steve Scott, Tom Keefe and coach Will Sweetser enjoyed almost perfect spring weather and put in more than 20 hours on snow. A short snowstorm two days into the camp guaranteed great skiing for the next week. Hardwax was the order of the day for a few days' early classic skiing.
Sunny days and cool nights in the middle of the 10 day camp made for some excellent crust cruising on skate skis. The relatively level terrain on the Beartooth Plateau allows for reasonable skiing terrain at the high elevations. Smiles were wide after even the most difficult days.
As the weather warmed and the snow softened, the team moved to a short groomed loop provided by the Redlodge International Summer Ski and Snowboard Camp.
Recovery activities varied from the typical to the very unusual: running and hiking were on the docket most afternoons, but chasing game, branding cattle, horseback riding and flyfishing all played important roles in the training plan.
Meals and accomodations at the 7D Ranch were outstanding and made the camp a tremendous success. Keep an eye out for information on a formal camp during late May and early June next season.
MWSC chosen for award because of its impact on Maine schools.
Portland, ME - The Maine Educators Association (MEA) has recognized the Maine Winter Sports Center (MWSC) with its 2006 Corporate Award. "It is difficult to put an actual dollar amount on the value of the Center's programs and contributions," said Ernie Easter, a teacher at the New Sweden School and MEA member, "but the impact on our school system and others throughout Aroostook County has been huge. They have contributed to the physical and cultural education of our students while promoting a healthy lifestyle."
The MWSC provides programming in 72 communities throughout the State through its Healthy Hometowns program. The program provides skis, trail design and construction assistance, volunteer training and a curriculum that meets the Maine Standard Learning Results requirements. The program also offers orienteering in the spring, summer and fall, giving it a year-round impact. Last year there were over 5,000 kids enrolled in the program.
The MWSC was also recognized for making the world-class biathlon and skiing events in Aroostook County a part of the schools curriculum. The Center developed a 130 page teachers' guide for students from Pre-K though grade 8. The guide brought the sport of biathlon and the countries that participate into the classroom - sometimes literally. During both the 2004 World Cup and the 2006 Junior World Championships, athletes from countries such as Sweden, Germany and Russia came into schools to share stories about their homes and their impressions of life in the United States. Schools also used the teachers guide to teach sections on math, science, history, social studies and geography. When the events were held, classrooms would form fan clubs for athletes from around the world.
"All of these events have improved the health and expanded the educational opportunities of students, especially in Aroostook County," said MEA president Rob Walker. "With this award the MEA expresses the appreciation of educators throughout the State for those efforts by the Maine Winter Sports Center to move forward with its' mission."
Pineland Farms, New Gloucester, ME, May 23. The newly elected USBA Board of Directors assembled here this past weekend for its first meeting to chart a new direction for the Association, including the appointment of Max Cobb as Executive Director.
Chairman Larry Pugh set the tone for the coming four years commenting that the new USBA Board would operate with "openness and transparency," always keeping the interests of the athletes first. With this as the priority, the new US Biathlon High Performance Plan (HPP) was unveiled with the goal "to succeed with honor to achieve world class results in a way that brings honor to our team, community, country and ourselves." The plan includes re-establishing and expanding the RCE (Regional Centers of Excellence) program, the North American circuit of competitions, and providing the necessary support to bring success at every level of international competition, including Olympic Winter Games and World Championships, as well as World Cup, European Cup and World Junior Championships.
Preceding the day's agenda, Chairman Pugh announced the appointment of long-time USBA employee Max Cobb as the new Executive Director, praising his work reorganizing USBA operations and programs in recent weeks, while also transitioning the Association's move from Vermont to Maine. Cobb, a 1987 Dartmouth graduate, for many years USBA Program Director and most recently Marketing Director, is highly respected in both domestic and international biathlon circles. He was a catalyst in the original HPP that saw the US develop internationally competitive athletes including 1997 World Junior Champion Jay Hakkinen, Rachel Steer and World Junior Medalists Lanny and Tracy Barnes.
Cobb also assisted in the development of most of the new biathlon facilities in the US including two in Maine at Fort Kent and Presque Isle, Mount Itasca in Minnesota and the 2002 Olympic venue at Soldier Hollow, Utah. Internationally, he serves as secretary for the International Biathlon Union (IBU) Technical Committee, was Chief of Competition for Biathlon at the 2002 Salt Lake Olympic Winter Games and most recently was an International Referee at the 2006 Torino Olympic Winter Games. Cobb and his wife Rosemary have three children: sons Charlie (7), Timmy (5), and an 8 month-old daughter, Virginia. The new Executive Director commented on his position and the future of the Association. "I look forward to working with our new Board and our outstanding group of athletes in the coming years. We have a terrific group of talented and dedicated athletes who thrilled us at the Olympic Games in Torino, both on and off the field of play. They have welcomed the new Board of Directors with great enthusiasm. Together, we see the next four years leading up to the Olympic Winter Games in Vancouver, Canada as offering enormous opportunities for success at every level for US Biathlon."
Additional subjects covered during the meeting included proposed new athlete selection procedures, staffing, the annual Summer Festival competitions, committee assignments, fundraising and the budget. After the meeting, Board members had the opportunity to visit the new USBA office. The headquarters will host a reception later this summer for people interested in visiting the offices and learning more about the sport of Biathlon.
The United States Biathlon Association is the National Governing Body for the sport of Biathlon in the United States as recognized by the United States Olympic Committee and the International Biathlon Union. The US Biathlon Association supports the US Biathlon Team and development of the sport on all levels within the United States. TD Banknorth is the title sponsor of the US Biathlon Team. Lapua, adidas, the Hilton Family of Hotels and Exel Ski Poles are supporting sponsors of the US Biathlon Team.
Four-time State Ski Champion, Dartmouth Captain and All-American brings strong experience to role as Development Coach.
Caribou, Maine: Eileen Carey is a Maine native who grew up skiing in the Maine Bill Koch Youth Ski League, skied for the Leavitt High School in Turner where she became a four-time state champion, and went on to ski for Dartmouth College where she was the captain of the ski team.
After graduating from Dartmouth, Eileen moved on to the Colorado Rocky Mountain School in Carbondale, Colorado where she taught Spanish and coached skiing for the school and for the Rocky Mountain Nordic Division. She also instructed all ages of skiers at the Aspen Cross Country Ski Center and co-founded a community womens Nordic ski group that works with all levels of skiers to develop ski technique and to cultivate passion for the sport. Eileen is excited about the opportunity to return to her roots and work with the team at MWSC to contribute to the growing Nordic community in Northern Maine. "I am excited to return to Maine and to be a part of the Maine Winter Sports Center." said Ms. Carey. "I want to make a difference and the MWSC gives me a chance to do that in my home state." "There are a lot of exciting things happening here and I am thrilled to have the opportunity to become a part of it all."
"MWSC is thrilled to announce the hire of Eileen Carey to our team of world class coaches and staff," said John Farra, MWSC Vice President of Programs. "It is such a tremendous advantage to be able to hire a Mainer and a woman to this position. Eileen comes with plenty of racing and coaching experience and a true enthusiasm to make a difference in her home state."
The Maine Winter Sports Center (MWSC) is a 501c3 non-profit, economic development corporation, founded in April 1999 with a grant from the Libra Foundation in Portland, Maine. Our mission is to create a model for sustainable rural communities. For more information on the MWSC please visit our website at www.Mainewsc.org or call us at 207-492-1444.
Coming off the most successful Olympics ever for the US Biathlon Team, the association elects new board and opens new office in Maine. - - - Lawrence Pugh, former CEO of VF Corp. elected Chairman.
Pineland Farms, New Gloucester, Maine, April 24, 2006: The United States Biathlon Association (USBA) announces the election of new officers to its board of directors. The membership of the USBA voted overwhelming support for the new slate of officers, including Larry Pugh of Yarmouth, Maine and Naples, Florida as Chairman. "The completion of this election is a historic day for the US Biathlon Association, said Bill Lilly, outgoing President of the USBA board. The membership has selected a new, smaller board that will give the management of the Association new resources to succeed as we move forward in the next quadrennial. This election, combined with our office opening at Pineland Farms in New Gloucester, Maine are big steps that will benefit our athletes and the sport of biathlon for many years to come." The new Executive Committee is now made up of individuals with proven business and leadership skills. The caliber of these new trustees will make the USBA board one of the best led in the entire US Olympic movement. They bring world-class leadership to biathlon and will give the sport opportunities it has never had before. "We have a lot of work to do over the next four years and I am honored by the trust the membership has placed in me as their new Chairman," said Larry Pugh. "We have gifted and dedicated athletes, some of the best biathlon venues in the world and communities that are hosting some of the best events in the world. Our challenge now is giving the athletes the resources they deserve and need to win our first-ever Olympic medal." The other board members elected were Charlie Kellogg, (Vice-Chairman), Roger Hartley, (Treasurer), Chad Salmela, (Athlete Representative), William Alfond, (Director-at-large) and Phyllis Jalbert, (Director-at-large). For more information about the sport of biathlon please visit the website at www.usbiathlon.org, or call Max Cobb at 800-242-8456.
United States Biathlon Association
The following is a lit of Officers and Directors elected to the USBA Board:
Larry Pugh - Chairman of the Board (Florida/Maine) Retired President and CEO of VF Corp., the second largest apparel company in the world. Pugh has also served as co-chairman of the UNUM Provident board in addition to a number of other high profile corporate leadership positions. He brings a level of leadership few corporations, let alone Olympic sports can match.
Charlie Kellogg - Vice Chairman (Massachusetts) Managing consultant with Global Partners Inc., an international consulting firm, specializing in business process improvement. Kellogg is a former national champion in both Cross Country skiing and Biathlon. He also competed in the 1968 Olympics in Cross Country skiing.
Roger Hartley - Treasurer (Minnesota) A successful businessman, Hartley has traveled with the US Biathlon Team for the past 6 years as the US Biathlon Team massage therapist, which gives him a unique perspective into the world of the athlete.
Chad Salmela - Athlete Representative (Minnesota) A member of the U.S. Biathlon team through most of the 1990's and has served as the biathlon athlete representative to the US Olympic Committee's Athletes Advisory Council since 2000. He has served as the color commentator for Biathlon at the 2002 Salt Lake and 2006 Torino Olympics.
Bill Alfond - Director-at-large (Massachusetts) Alfond is an owner/limited partner of the Boston Red Sox and a former owner of the Dexter Shoe Company. He has experience in both the business world and the sports world, which will prove valuable over the next four years.
Phyllis Jalbert - Director-at-large (New York) Jalbert built a successful real estate business in Manhattan for over 30 years. As a volunteer at the 2004 Fort Kent World Cup, her first biathlon competition, she developed a passion for the sport and is excited to help in fundraising over the next four years.
Johnstone brings experience as an athlete, coach and program organizer.
Caribou, ME - The Maine Winter Sports Center (MWSC) is pleased to announce the addition of Scott Johnstone to its staff. "We are looking to continue the tradition of hiring smart people who are dedicated to making a difference in Maine." Says John Farra, Vice President of Programs. "Scott has always lived the skiing lifestyle and comes highly recommended throughout the ski industry. We are all very excited to have Scott and his wife Carole join the MWSC family."
Scott inherited his work ethic from his father, Dusty. His dad would set ski tracks for the family almost daily by pulling a track setter with a harness around his waist. It is no wonder that the family excelled at skiing. Scott was a top ranked Nordic Combined skier as a Junior and competed in numerous Junior and Senior National Championships. In College he was captain of the NCAA Division I New England College Nordic Ski Team. Scott's brother Hans went to the Olympics in the Nordic Combined in 1988, and sister-in-law Nancy went as a Biathlete in 1992.
After graduation, Scott went on to coach for the New York Ski Education Foundation in Lake Placid, NY. While there, he worked with several skiers who went on to National and Olympic Teams. When he moved to the Northeast Kingdom in Vermont, he started a business and continued his coaching career at Burke Mountain Academy. Most recently Scott founded the Burke Touring Center Ski Club, and has been coaching the local youth Bill Koch Ski League, as well as several local high school and master ski racers. "My wife and I are excited to be part of this growing Nordic skiing community in Aroostook County", said Johnstone. "It is a great opportunity for me to share my passion for the outdoors and an active lifestyle. I look forward to contributing to this exciting, strong and exceptional team of coaches at MWSC."
Two weeks ago the U.S. Biathlon National Championships were rained out forcing race organizers to move and combine the event with this week's North American Championships in Valcartier, Quebec. Snow was not scarce and conditions were exceptional, allowing for the event to take place. It was not without a little sign from Mother Nature that spring is on its way however. Temperatures failed to make it below freezing leaving a deep layer of slushy ice for the athletes to maneuver through in today's Individual race and rain showers teased organizers and teams with multiple periods of showers.
Athletes skied five loops stopping four times to take aim and strike down a total of twenty targets (five per stage) with precise mechanics knowing that each shot missed would result in a 1-minute penalty.
Not to add more pressure to the picture, but National Championship titles and North American bragging rights were up for grabs as well! 2006 Olympian Brian Olsen set a strong pace early on hitting 13 of his first 15 targets. Eventual winner and member of the 2006 Canadian Olympic Team David Leoni matched Olsen's shooting, but appeared to have found another gear and the right pair of skis as he out skied the field by over 2-minutes on his way to winning the overall NorAm title. In Olsen's final stage nerves or maybe the wind seemed to gain a slight edge as he missed three shots dropping him back to 5th place in the end at the finish line. "I worked really hard to get that last shot and it took me some extra time, maybe too much", Olsen commented afterwards. Newt Rogers of Ft. Kent won his first National Title of the week. The U.S. Jr. World Team Member got back into his groove after a short trip to the Cross-Country Jr. Nationals hitting 13 of his 20 targets. Rogers struggled in his middle two stages where he earned 5 of his 7 penalties. "Skiing was really tough today. The conditions were really slow, you felt it as you raced and you could see it in other racers' faces". Maxime LeBoeuf of Quebec was the overall NorAm Champion with four penalties. In the Sr. Women's competition, Haley Johnson hit 16 of her 20 targets cleaning her final stage on her way to winning her first National Title. BethAnne Chamberlain finished second with seven misses. In the NorAm standings, Canadian Olympic Team members Sandra Keith, Martine Albert and Marie-Pierre Parent of Quebec swept the podium. Laura Spector or Massachusetts was the Jr. Women's National Champion and finished 2nd overall in the NorAm rankings. Janna Widness of Alaska won the Youth Women's competition. Competition resumes on Saturday with the Sprint and concludes Sunday with the Pursuit.
Presque Isle, ME - Staged as a demonstration event for the 220+ athletes racing at the TD Banknorth Eastern High School Championships, the elite Spring Series athletes tore up a super fast, tight and short 500 meter course under the lights at the Nordic Heritage Ski Center for cash prizes and LL Bean gift certificates. Kikkan Randal stole the show for the women, with Junior Ida Sargent getting to the line just before Karen Camenisch who finished third. On the Men's side, it was a photo finish, with the edge going to Jeff Ellis over Kris Freeman, and David Chamberlain just edging out local favorite Steve Scott of MWSC. In throwing himself across the line Jeff Ellis hit his right hand hard and may have sustained a broken thumb. While getting checked over by the medical staff he was informed that he was declared the winner and he said with a smile "well, I guess the money will help pay for my hospital bill."
Nordic Heritage Ski Center always knows how to put on a good show, with fireworks lighting up the night sky to cap a great day of racing. For results from the Eastern High School Championships and more Spring Series photos please visit www.nensa.net The Aroostook Medical Center International Spring Series begins in earnest Sunday with the 15km and 10km Mass-start SuperTour classic events.
Photos courtesy of Nick Brown
www.nsbphoto.com
Related Link:
www.nensa.net
Caribou, ME - Some of the best X-C skiers in the USA and Canada, including several members of the US Olympic Team just back from Italy, will be at the Caribou Ski Center at Caribou High School on Tuesday night, March 21st, to race in the USSA Team Sprint for the 2006 National Championship as well as cash prizes. This action-packed Team Sprint, which follows the same format as the team sprint relay at the 2006 Winter Olympic Games, is one of five races featured in The Aroostook Medical Center International Spring Series events March 19-26 at the Nordic Heritage Center in Presque Isle. This National Championship event, hosted by the Northern Skiers Club of Caribou, will be held from 6-8pm under the lights, with music playing and live play-by-play commentary by Olympic Biathlon commentator Chad Salmela.
Spectators at Caribou Ski Center will enjoy impressive vantage points over most of the 1.2 kilometer course to watch this fast-paced Team Sprint, in which each skier of the two person-teams will take turns racing three laps with exciting start, tag zone and finish areas right in front of the fans. Women's Semifinals begin at 6:00pm with Men's Semifinals following at 6:40pm. Finals begin at 7:15pm with a podium ceremony at 8:00pm. Many of these elite athletes might also be seen at the Caribou Ski Center on Monday afternoon, March 20th, during the official course inspection, after which many of these nationally-ranked skiers are expected to cheer on the racers at the Aroostook County Middle School X-C Ski Championships at 5pm and then mingle with them over pasta at an Athlete Dinner, 6pm at Caribou High School.
For more information about the USSA Spring Series events visit: www.mainewsc.org and follow our top local racers at:
www.skicountyusa.org.
Brayton Osgood and Kate Whitcomb took top honors last weekend. For full results
click here.
Cesana San Sicario, Italy, February 21st Jay Hakkinen (Kasilof, AK) led all 17 teams through the first leg of the Men's 4 X 7.5K Relay in which the US finished ninth, 2:31.9 behind the winning squad from Germany who won in 1:21.51.5. Russia took Silver, 20.9 seconds back, while France,43.6 seconds back, earned Bronze in a photo finish over Sweden.
Hakkinen, immediately after finishing gave his performance, which surprised many in the crowd, a typically understated assessment, "Now, that was a bit better (referring to his disappointing 80th in last week's 10K Sprint)."
Today, Hakkinen was just short of brilliant. He came to the prone stage in third position; shot with confidence using only one extra round and was gone. His standing stage was equally as good, although he needed one extra round. He out shot the usually lightening fast Ricco Gross of Germany and left for the final 2.5K in first position. Hakkinen stretched his lead over Gross to 6.3 seconds by the time he passed off to Tim Burke (Paul Smiths, NY). "Gross commented, "Jay left me today. I could not stay with him after standing shooting."
Hakkinen added, "That was a big thrill coming into the stadium in first. That clicks off another of my goals for the season but I have a few others to accomplish. We have been pointing all season to this relay. My shooting was better today. In the relay you can take a few more chances since you have three extra rounds in each stage, so I pushed the cadence a little bit. My skis were fantastic today and that made it easier today."
Continuing, he discussed Saturday's Mass Start competition. "The Mass Start is a very different competition than this. It depends on good shooting in the prone stages and there are no extra rounds. I do not want to put myself in the same position that I was after the 20K. But I do feel better now that the relay has gone well."
Burke commented on leaving the stadium with the lead, "I was not nervous, but I definitely was excited. All through the first loop, I was trying to get those other guys just behind me to take the lead so I could just get in behind the train, but they would not pass. I was skiing easily the whole loop." Unlike Hakkinen, Burke needed all three extra rounds to clean both prone and standing, as the US team slipped back to seventh position. "I wish I could have shot better," Burke added, "I was shaking after the third standing shot, so it was a struggle."
Burke's good friend Lowell Bailey (Lake Placid, NY) took over for the third leg. The left-handed Bailey needed only one extra round to clean prone. Like Burke, he needed all three extra rounds to clean standing, and lost another position. "I was satisfied today and avoided the penalty loop. Generally, I am very happy with the Games. With the good relay today and a top 30 finish (a personal best 27th place); I met my goals and expectations. Of course I would have like to done better in the Sprint and Pursuit, but it is sport and things do not always go the way you want them to."
That statement also described Jeremy Teela's (Anchorage, AK) anchor leg. With only one extra round in prone, Teela moved the US up to seventh position. In the standing stage, things did not go as Teela hoped for .A bit dejected after using all three extra rounds and then taking a penalty, he commented, "If I did not have that penalty, we would have been eighth. My shooting and skiing just have not come together here as I expected."
Despite Teela's one penalty, the ninth place finish for the US men is the team's best finish of the season in a Relay (previous best 10th at Hochfilzen World Cup in December. The team was closer to the winners than in Hochfilzen, with 2:31.9 back today to 3:25.7 back, with an additional three shots (13 to 10) and a penalty today.
More over, the result today ties the US Best Olympic finish in the modern era of Olympic Biathlon, which started in 1980, with the change to 22 caliber rifles and new mechanical targets at Lake Placid, New York. The US also finished ninth at Calgary in 1988. The best US finish in the Relay at an Olympic Winter Games was a sixth place in Sapporo, Japan in 1972. Today's performance ties for third on the all-time combined big bore/modern era of Olympic Biathlon.
Tim Burke summed up the significance of the team and Jay Hakkinen's performance. "It was enormously exciting to see Jay come in, in the lead. All four of us will be back in 2010 at Vancouver and we will all be working between now and then to match Jay. We can be in the top three or four then."
Today's Men's Relay closes Olympic competition for all of the US men save Hakkinen. He will be going after another result to match or better his 10th place in the opening 20K Individual on February 11 in the Men's 15K Mass Start this Saturday.
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