December 20, 2009 (Mt Itasca, Coleraine, MN) – It was a perfect day at Mt Itasca: 20 degrees at the start, no wind, and news had just come that US Biathlon’s rising star, Tim Burke (Paul Smiths, N.Y.), had just taken over the Yellow Bib on the Biathlon World Cup. The excitement was tangible in the stadium as the athletes prepared for the start of Day 4 of the Biathlon World Team Trials in Coleraine, MN.

Today’s Pursuit format generally favors the best shooters, and the top shooters came out on top. In the Women’s race, Tracy Colliander (Durango, CO) hit 19 of 20 and clinched her position on the IBU Cup team with a 1:20 minute buffer to second place finisher Laura Spector (Lennox, MA). Susan Dunklee (Baton, VT), placed third, finishing with the fastest ski time of the day, as she has in each of the 4 trials races.

In the men’s races, Walt Shepard (Yarmouth, ME) dominated the shooting, hitting 19 for 20. His superb shooting was just enough to overcome the all out attack of Leif Norgdren (Marine on St Croix), who overcame poor a poor shooting score of 15 of 20, and finished only 5 seconds out and claiming the fastest ski time of the day. Nordgren came off sickness and poor shooting in the first weekend of racing and needed an exceptional result to stay in the running for the IBU Cup team. Zach Hall (Anchorage, AK) put together strong skiing and 16 for 20 shooting for third place. Hall has been on the podium in 4 of 4 races, and he has been the most consistent performer of the World Team Trials.

Today’s Pursuit race was the second of three Junior World Team Trial races. In the Junior Women’s category, Grace Boutot, (Presque Isle, ME) placed first with local favorite Addie Byrne (Bovey, MN) in second place, 23 seconds out. Hillary McNamee (Caribou, ME) finished 3rd. The Junior Men’s race was dominated by Nordgren. In second was Mike Gibson (Burlington, VT) and finishing third was Wayne McClure (Anchorage, AK).

In the Youth Category, a new shooting talent emerged, with Silke Hymes hitting 18 for 20 and winning by almost a minute. In second was Kelly Kjorlien (Grand Rapids, MN), with 6 penalties, and Andrea Mayo (Soldier Pond, ME) managed a third place with 9 penalties.

Raleigh Goessling (Duluth, MN) had a breakthrough race in the Youth Men’s 10km. He shot 18 for 20 and skied extremely well, winning by a margin of 2 min 12 seconds. In second, Ethan Dreissegacker (Craftsbury, VT) had 5 penalties, and rounding out top 3 in the Youth Men was a newcomer to the podium, Matty Coleman (Methow Valley, WA).

The World Team Trials continue on Tuesday, December 22, with the Men’s 10km Sprint and Women’s 7.5km Sprint. Complete race results can be found at www.minnesotabiathlon.com.