Maddie Phaneuf of Old Forge was one of 13 athletes selected by the U.S. Biathlon Association to represent the United States at the upcoming World Youth and Junior Biathlon Championships that will be held in Presque Isle, ME.
Biathlete
Maddie Phaneuf
Phaneuf earned a berth on the team at the conclusion of a three-race trial series held at the Nordic Heritage Ski Center in Presque Isle on Saturday, Sunday and Monday, December 28, 29 and 30th.
The trials featured a sprint on Saturday, a pursuit on Sunday, and a sprint on Monday.
Athletes were given a percent-back score for each race and the best two of three results were averaged together.
Up to four athletes were chosen for each age category and sex, if they met a minimal percent-back threshold. Discre-tionary picks were also possible.
In a competitive field, Phaneuf was the overall second place qualifier in her age group—Youth Women age 17 to 18—after placing second in the first Sprint race, third in the Pursuit race, and winning the final Sprint race.
Maddie Phaneuf
Biathlon is a winter sport that combines cross country skiing with rifle marksmanship. Competitors are challenged to ski fast while interspersing the skiing competition with shooting stations—penalty laps are added to the ski course for every target missed.
As a member of the Polar Bear Ski Club, Phaneuf was introduced to the sport of biathlon just three years ago by Coach Carl Klossner at the local McCauley Mountain biathlon range. She graduated from the Town of Webb school in 2013 and skied on the high school Nordic team for Coach John Leach.
She currently trains with the Maine Winter Sports Center in Fort Kent, ME while studying college courses on-line.
The World Youth/Junior Biathlon Championships are scheduled for February 27 through March 8 and will involve more than 300 athletes from all over the world.
