It may seem a little surprising that the biathlon is an event the US has never ever had any success in. It seems at the surface like such a simple concept, skiing and shooting, but the amount of conditioning necessary to ski quick enough to be a top biathlon athlete is not simple. And to be able to then calm yourself down in a matter of seconds for a round of shooting is quite incredible. It’s a sport that has eluded the US for decades but might finally be on the verge of becoming a discipline where the US could medal.
The US had the best ever finish in five of the ten events contested in Sochi including the best ever finish any event by an individual man (Lowell Bailey) and woman (Susan Dunklee). The US has still never medaled but it feels closer and closer to happening.
Men’s Sprint
Tim Burke led the way for the US in the men’s sprint finishing 19th. He led a group of three Americans in the top 50 and his 19th place finish was only the third time since 1980 that the US had a finisher in the top 20. It was down from Jeremy Teela’s ninth place finish in 2010.
Women’s Sprint
On the women’s side in the sprint Susan Dunklee finished a solid 14th, the best ever finish by a woman in the event for the US. Sara Studebaker made it two US women that finished ahead of their best finisher from 2010 when she improved on her 45th place finish by one spot.
Men’s Pursuit
In the men’s pursuit the US again saw Tim Burke take top honors with a 22nd place finish. It was an improvement on the last two Olympics for the US but still behind their all-time best finish of 13th in the first event in 2002.
Women’s Pursuit
Once again Susan Dunklee had the best ever finish for the US with an 18th place finish in the pursuit. She way exceeded any past results as no American had ever finished higher than 39th in the previous three Olympics.
Men’s Individual
Another best ever finish for the US came in the men’s individual. Lowell Bailey took his turn at the top with an eighth place finish. He was joined by Tim Burke (44th) in both finishing ahead of the top US finisher in 2010 (Burke in 45th). Not only was Bailey’s eighth place finish the best by a US man in the individual event it was the best by the US in any biathlon event.
Women’s Individual
The US duplicated their top result in the women’s individual as Hannah Dreissigacker’s 23rd place finish matched that of Lanny Barnes in Vancouver. Only once before (1994) has the US had someone in the top 20.
Men’s Mass Start
The US had two competitors in the mass start event but couldn’t reach their top finishes from the past. Tim Burke finished 21st but that was three spots behind where he had been in 2010.
Women’s Mass Start
On the women’s side Susan Dunklee not only became the first US woman to make the mass start event but she turned in an 11th place finish that was the best ever finish by a US woman in any biathlon event. Not bad at all.
Men’s Team Relay
The men’s team relay event didn’t go great for a US team that was struggling with sickness. The finished 16th which was their second lowest result ever and worst since 1998.
Women’s Team Relay
The women’s team had a lot more success in the final with a seventh place finish. It was their best finish ever and the best by a US relay team since the men finished sixth in 1972.
Mixed Team Relay
This was the first mixed relay event in the biathlon and the US finished a respectable eight place despite missing 14 targets.
Previous Olympic Recaps
Alpine Skiing
Short Track Speed Skating
Freestyle Skiing
Curling
Nordic Combined
Figure Skating
Ski Jumping
Skeleton
Luge
