Torino, site of the 2006 Winter Olympics, represents the culmination of years of training and the realization of a lifelong dream for athletes worldwide – including former Union student Lowell Bailey.
Bailey, a member of the U.S. Biathlon Team, had an impressive start in his Olympic debut. Both he and his friend, longtime training partner and teammate, Tim Burke, performed exceptionally well in the 10k sprint on Tuesday.
Bailey finished 48th and Burke, 37th, out of 90 competing athletes – ahead of seasoned veterans Jeremy Teela and Jay Hakkinen.
By finishing in the top 60, Bailey and Burke qualified for the biathlon pursuit on Sunday.
“We did not expect this from these two young guys,” said U.S. Coach James Upham. “They are here for experience… but here is Lowell skiing with (five-time gold medalist Ole Einar) Bjoerndalenon the last lap and keeping up.”
To compete in the 15k on Feb. 25, Bailey and Burke must finish in the top 30 in the pursuit on Feb. 21 in the team relay.
Bailey, 24, grew up in Lake Placid and attended Union during the spring term from 2000 to 2002, between training sessions. Continuing to compete internationally after narrowly missing the 2002 Olympic Team, he skied for the University of Vermont while completing a degree in political science and environmental studies. He placed second in the NCAA 10K and also qualified for the Biathlon World Championships in 2003.
A demanding, composite sport, biathlon combines cross-country skiing with rifle shooting. Competitors race across hilly terrain and stop to shoot at fixed targets. In the 10k, or 6.2-mile sprint, contestants shoot at two sets of targets. The competition developed from the military training of ski troops and became an official part of the Winter Olympics in 1960.