Great athletes can’t retire from being great. But they do eventually retire from grueling training schedules and national and international competitions.
Hosted by New York State’s Olympic Regional Development Authority (ORDA) the US Biathlon Association’s (USBA) 2022 National Championships take place March 25 through 27 at Mt Van Hoevenberg. It will be the last competition for the following athletes:
Susan Dunklee – A three-time Olympian and the most decorated US biathlete in history with two World Championship medals (Silver 2017 Mass Start, Silver 2020 Sprint) and six World Cup podium appearances on her resume.
Clare Egan – A Lake Placid resident and two-time Olympian who has also appeared on the World Cup podium. She also served as an IBU Athlete Representative and member of that organization’s Executive Committee.
Leif Nordgren – Three-time Olympian from Hinesburg, Vermont, with a decade of World Championship experience. He’s also a National Guard member and a new dad.
Hallie Grossman – 2022 Olympic alternate from Craftsbury, Vermont, Hallie’s been a biathlete on the World Cup circuit since 2016.
Maddie Phaneuf – 2018 Olympian, a member of the US National Team since 2014, Maddie is an Adirondacker from Old Forge, NY.
These National Championships bring together more than 180 of the best youth, junior, women, and men biathletes in the country. All races are open and free to spectators.
Especially exciting it is to note that in the coming years, Mt Van Hoevenberg will provide more opportunities than ever to athletes like Susan, Clare, Leif, Hallie, and Maddie, thanks to a complete modernization of the Nordic facilities. The updates are monumental and include a well-appointed, new three-story Mountain Pass Lodge, a new biathlon stadium featuring a 30-point range, a high-efficiency snowmaking system with a new reservoir an additional five kilometers of competition trails certified to international standards, and a new competition layout designed for easy spectator viewing. These investments in facilities by the State of New York push the Mt Van Hoevenberg venue to the top of the list of potential sites for national and international competitions.
We thank Susan, Clare, Leif, Hallie, and Maddie for what they have given to their sport and wish them all the best in their retirement! – Your friends at ORDA