Relays have not been an important part of the US program for many years, many times due to illness or just lack of competitive personnel. This was typical, as many nations have been skipping the relays in recent seasons, leaving only 10 or 12 of the strongest teams on the starting line. Accordingly, the International Biathlon Union did two things: shortening the relay legs to 7.5K for men (from 10K) and to 6K (from 7.5K) for women and making the relay a part of the important Nations Cup scoring. Nations Cup scores determine the number of start positions for the next season and major competitions.

With the added importance and a group of four talented men, who (other than Hakkinen’s 12th and Burke’s 33rd places) were generally disappointed with their results here, the US started today’s relay with a mission, “no penalties.” That mantra was the theme, which is the first key to relay success. On a brilliant, cold afternoon Hakkinen led off and needed three extra rounds to clean prone, leaving in 14th position. On standing, he was much better and needed only a single extra round. He commented, “I was just disappointed with the prone, like yesterday. I should hit them. But it is all part of getting in the race mode.”

Tim Burke took the tag from Hakkinen in 14th place, 53.5 seconds off the lead. Burke maintained in prone, cleaning with six shots, moving the team up a couple of spots. Although he needed two extra rounds in standing, Burke tagged his Maine Winter Sports Center teammate Lowell Bailey in 11th place, 1;57.6 back.

Bailey lost no ground and gained on the teams immediately in front of him. He cleaned prone with five shots, and left the shooting range in 10th. After such a good prone stage, it looked like Bailey would do the same in standing as the targets went down…one…two…three…four...and then a miss. He said, “I missed that one and thought, ‘no big deal—3 shots to drop one target.’ Then I missed with the two extra rounds and was a bit worried. But I hit the last shot. After that, I was telling my legs to go and they did not respond very well. I am ready for a few days off. But I kept us clean and in the race. That was important.”

The US was 2:59.3 behind when Bailey tagged the third MWSC athlete on the relay, Jeremy Teela. Coach James Upham called Teela, “the X-Factor, (referring to Teela’s huge talent and recent struggles with shooting)” earlier in an interview with the stadium announcer. Teela came to the relay with a plan, “I knew I had to shoot fast and clean. I just kept remembering what Jay had said about just slowing down on the uphill approach, and kept that in my head. I did that and shot much better.” Actually, Teela shot excellent today. He needed an extra round in both prone and standing, but his range times were among the fastest of any athlete in the relay. Coming into standing in 11th, Teela’s fast shooting sent him out of the stadium on the final 2.5K loop in 10th place. He flew around the loop and pulled away from Slovakia on the hard uphill finish, claiming 10th place. Teela’s 20:25.8 was the fastest leg for the US team. And…there were no penalties, just 11 extra rounds!

This relay was by far the best men’s relay team effort by the US in recent memory and the first with no penalties. Just a few less extra rounds, a little faster skiing (which all are confident will come) and this group of men will challenge for a spot in the top six at some stage this season..

The US Team leaves Hochfilzen on a high note, heading back to the US to prepare for the Banknorth festival at Fort Kent the end of the month. Rachel Steer and Hakkinen stay in Europe and will compete in the final World cup of 2005 in Osrblie, Slovakia this Thursday through Sunday.

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.

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