Egan Leads GRP and Team USA with 10th Place in Hochfilzen

Written by GRP Biathlete Raleigh Goessling

In the first race of the Hochfilzen leg of the IBU Biathlon World Cup, a single prone miss was all that prevented Clare Egan from reaching the podium places. Clean standing shooting and fast skiing secured Egan’s claim to 10th place, and the top finish among Team USA athletes. 

Susan Dunklee also made a single error in prone, but two misses in standing resulted in Susan finishing the day in 53rd place, 3rd best among the American women. 

Both GRP athletes are slated to compete in the women’s Relay competition tomorrow with their Team USA cohorts. In addition, Susan and Clare are both qualified for Sunday’s Pursuit race, in which the top 60 racers from the Sprint will start in order of their finish and try to improve or defend their position from today’s race. 

Like Susan, Jake Brown’s bid for a top result was flummoxed by two troublesome trips to the shooting range. Brown missed two prone targets, and three standing shots, but laid down a convincing effort on the skis. Unfortunately, Jake’s speed on the tracks was not enough to secure a top 60 finish. Brown ended the day in 80th place and did not qualify for tomorrow’s pursuit competition.   

Jake is still in contention to race in Sunday’s men’s Relay. Team USA has not yet finalized their roster for this event. 

For full event replays, detailed results, performance analysis, interviews and much more from the IBU World Cup visit www.biathlonworld.com