OBERHOF, GER (January 4, 2012) – The U.S. Biathlon World Cup squad takes to the track in Oberhof tomorrow for the start of the E.ON IBU World Cup 4. Lowell Bailey (Lake Placid, NY), Jay Hakkinen (Kasilof, AK), Tim Burke (Paul Smiths, NY) and Leif Nordgren (Marine, MN) will open competition for Team USA in tomorrow’s 4X7.5km Relay.
Conditions in Oberhof have been challenging this week according to U.S. Biathlon High Performance Director Bernd Eisenbichler. “With the rain training has not been easy, but the organizers have been doing everything they can to put a good track together, “ he explained. “In the Relay, it’s always tricky in these conditions with both skiing and waxing, but the team’s mental approach to the race will be very important. In the end, there’s always a great chance to have an extraordinary result in these conditions. As a team we need to see it is a chance and not a challenge.”
“We’re looking forward to the start of the second World Cup trimester,” said U.S. Biathlon Head Coach Per Nilsson. “We hope to have a good start and fight for the top six tomorrow. Everything is possible in these conditions.”
E.ON IBU World Cup 4 Biathlon / Oberhof
Event Schedule (All start times are CET)