December 19, 2009 (Coleraine, MN) – Wynn Roberts (Battle Lake, MN) shot clean prone and missed two standing to win the 3rd event of the U.S. Biathlon World Team Trials at Mt. Itasca. He finished 25 seconds ahead of Zach Hall (Anchorage, AK), with Walt Shepard (Yarmouth, ME) in 3rd. In the cold temperatures but fast tracks, Tracy Colliander (Durango, CO) finished 27 seconds ahead of Susan Dunklee (Lake Placid, NY). Annalies Cook (Saranac Lake, NY) missed only one target, and made her first podium of the 5 race series – see US Biathlon release below.

Tomorrow are the Pursuit races – Men’s 12.5km and Women’s 10km. The four shooting stages will place more emphasis on target accuracy.

Full results can be found here.

Wynn Roberts and Tracy Colliander Take Day 3 Sprint
(Mt Itasca, Coleraine, MN) – On Day 3 of the Biathlon World Team Trials, Wynn Roberts (Battle Lake, MN) got his act together on the shooting range cleaning prone and missing 2 on standing. With excellent skiing he finished 25 seconds ahead of Zach Hall (Anchorage, AK) Only .3 seconds separated Walt Shepard (Yarmouth, ME), in third place, and Leif Nordgren, (Marine on St Croix, MN) in fourth. Nordgen is a last year junior and was trying to claw his way back into contention after missing the first race because of sickness.

In the senior women’s field, Tracy Colliander (Durango, CO) put a 90% shooting race together, and with solid skiing finished 27 seconds ahead of Susan Dunklee. Dunklee has consistently had the fastest ski times at the Biathlon Trials. Annalies Cook (Saranac Lake, NY) missed only one target, and moved up on the podium for the first time during the 5 race series. Cook was visibly relieved as she crossed the finish line.

The typically cold Mt Itasca venue was unusually cold, with temperatures in the teens and fast ski tracks a pleasant change from last weekend’s cold, slow snow. Today’s Sprint format was the first of the World Junior Trials. Addie Byrne (Grand Rapids, MN) took first with 90% shooting. Grace Boutot (Presque Isle, ME) matched her shooting, and finished 25 seconds behind. In third was Corrine Malcolm (Haward, WI) racing in her first major biathlon event.

In the junior men’s race, Leif Nordgren took first, with Mike Gibson (Burlingon, VT) and Wayne McClure (Anchorage, AK) in third. In the Youth Men’s Sprint, Conrad Roberts made it 2 for 2 for the Roberts family and shooting the same as his big brother, 0, 2. Casey Smith of Methow Valley placed 2nd with 3 penalties, and in third was Ethan Dreissigacker, (Craftsbury, VT), with 4 penalties.

Kelly Kjorlien (Grand Rapids, MN) shot 80% and took first in the Youth Women’s Sprint. Andrea Mayo (Soldier Pond, ME) had a rough day on the range (3,2) but managed a second place with good skiing. In third was Mackenzie Wonders (Anchorage, AK.)

The World Team Trials continue on Sunday with the Men’s 12.5km and Women’s 10km Pursuit.