Minnesota Athletes Race for Team USA in IBU Junior Cup and Junior Open European Championships 

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Eric Anderson (Frontenac, MN – Bluff Country Biathlon) and Annelise Baird (Baxter, MN – Minnesota Biathlon) competed in their first international races, as youth athletes competing at the junior level. Eric and Annelise competed in the International Biathlon Union Junior Cup races in Jakuszyce, Poland, held January 16-19, 2025. The Junior Cup races began with Sprint races; Annelise led the women’s team in 50th, missing just two shots on the day while Eric Anderson finished 69th in the men’s race. Based on her results from the Sprint, Annelise toed the line for the junior women’s Mass Start 60, finishing 56th. The final day of racing saw another Sprint. Eric bested his previous Sprint result in 53rd while Annelise finished in 72nd.

“I’m really proud of the team’s efforts this week at the Junior Cup in Poland,” said U.S. Biathlon Director of Athlete Development and IBU Junior Cup Team Leader Tim Burke. “Many of our athletes were competing in their first international biathlon races, going up against competitors up to four years older. Despite the challenge, they held their own and can leave Poland with the confidence that they are ready to compete at the junior level on the international stage.” 

The team then traveled to Altenberg, Germany for the 2025 IBU Junior Open European Championships, held January 22-26. The race weekend consisted Individual races, Mixed and Single Mixed Relays, Sprints, and finished up with Mass Start 60 races. Eric Anderson finished 61st in the Individual with Annelise Baird in 78th. Eric and Annelise then teamed up with Tristan Thrasher (Steamboat Springs, CO – Team Altius) and Haley Finch(Anchorage, AK – Alaska Winter Stars) for the Mixed Relay where the US Team finished 16th. Annelise finished up her racing with 79th in Sprint while Eric was 99th in the Sprint. Neither qualified for the Mass Start 60 but they enjoyed cheering for their US teammates racing the mass start.

Photos: Chris Campbell

Annelise Baird led off the JOEC Individual race in Altenburg, GER, with start position 1. Photo: Chris Campbell
Eric Anderson tags Tristan Thrasher in the Mixed Relay in Altenburg, GER. Photo: Chris Campbell
Annelise Baird tags Haley Finch in the Mixed Relay in Altenburg, GER. Photo: Chris Campbell
Eric Anderson heads back on course after shooting the in the JOEC Individual race in Altenburg, GER Photo: Chris Campbell

Minnesota Athletes Claim National Championship Podium, Named to US Team Rosters

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The recent Youth & Junior Nationals and International Team Trials at Soldier Hollow Nordic Center brought sixty-two of the top youth and junior athletes in the country to race at the 2002 and future 2034 Olympic Winter Games biathlon venue in Midway, UT in December 2024.

Not only did the event serve as the national championships for the youth and junior athletes, but they were also vying for spots on the Junior IBU Cup, Junior Open European Championship, Youth World Championship, and Junior World Championship teams.

This event was the first ever combined US Youth & Junior Nationals and International Team Trials. Over the five-day event, athletes competed in two sprint races and one mass start 60.

 Racing at Soldier Hollow, the 2002 and the recently announced 2034 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games venue, was an unparalleled experience for young athletes who may very well make their Olympic debut on the very same course in less than ten years.

Soldier Hollow features a world-class course and range and is now home to the U.S. Biathlon Association headquarters. 

Nine Minnesota biathletes competed in the races and secured 8 podiums across the three races and two age classes and three were named to international competition teams. 

Minnesota Podium List:

Junior Women 6k Sprint
2Alexandra RUDDuluth Biathlon
3Audrey LAHAMMERMinnesota Biathlon
Youth Women 6k Sprint
3Annelise BAIRDMinnesota Biathlon
Youth Men 7.5k Sprint
1Eric ANDERSONMN Biathlon / Bluff Country Biathlon
Junior Women 9k Mass Start 60
1Alexandra RUD
Youth Women 9k Mass Start 60
3Annelise BAIRD
Youth Men 12k Mass Start 60
3Eric ANDERSON
Junior Women 7.5k Sprint
1Alexandra RUD

Full Results

Weather ranged from wet snow and rain early in the competition week to sunny and cold for the final sprint races, although winds were light for the competitions. While Minnesota athletes enjoyed successes, there were also athletes and coaches that dealt with illness, injury, and equipment problems. 

Junior IBU Cup & Junior Open European Championships Team
Annelise Baird (Baxter, MN – Minnesota Biathlon)

Eric Anderson (Frontenac, MN – Bluff Country Biathlon) 

Junior IBU Cup athletes will travel first to Jakuszyce, POL to compete at Junior IBU Cup 3, January 16-19. From Jakuszyce, the Jr Cup Team will travel west to Altenberg, GER to race in the Junior Open European Championships, January 22-26, 2025. 

Youth & Junior World Championship Team

Alexandra Rud (Oslo, NOR – Duluth Biathlon) 

Eric Anderson (Frontenac, MN – Bluff Country Biathlon) 

Athletes competing at the 2025 Youth and Junior World Championships will travel to the famous World Cup stop in Oestersund, SWE for eight days of competition, February 26 – March 5, 2025.

Current or former Minnesota Athletes that participated at Solder Hollow races December 2024:

Alexandra RUDMinnesota Biathlon / Duluth Biathlon / Norway
Annelise BAIRDMinnesota Biathlon
Audrey LAHAMMERMinnesota Biathlon
Elliott OBERTONMinnesota Biathlon
Eric ANDERSONMinnesota Biathlon / Bluff Country Biathlon
Evelyn HUDRLIKMinnesota Biathlon
Jesper Maximilian RUDMinnesota Biathlon / Duluth Biathlon / Norway
Kellen GROTHMinnesota Biathlon / Bluff Country Biathlon
Matej CERVENKANational Guard Biathlon
Selah BINSFELDMinnesota Biathlon / Bluff Country Biathlon
The range at Soldier Hollow, December 2024.
Elliott Oberton (36) and Kellen Groth in Mass Start, December 2024.
Women’s Mass Start 60 about to start, December 2024.