Biathletes selected for December World Cup, IBU Cup

Biathlon

Mon, Nov  22, 2010 - By US Biathlon Association

The International Competition Committee have nominated the teams for the December World Cups and the IBU Cups:

Women

• World Cup Team: Laura Spector
• IBU Cup Team: Tracy Barnes by points and Annelise Cook by discretion

The ICC selected Annelise Cook, noting she showed great improvement over the previous season and had the next highest performance in the trials and was well ahead of the next rank competitor.

Laurs Spector will join Sara Studebaker for the December World Cup.

Men

• World Cup Team: Russell Currier by points and Lowell Bailey by discretion
• IBU Cup Team: Bill Bowler by points and Zach Hall by discretion

The ICC noted that Lowell Bailey had very strong results over the summer/fall and had been sick before the trials so was not at his best for the races.  They also noted that he has played a very important role in World Cup Relays and that his experience there will be helpful to the team.

Further the ICC stated that since Bill Bowler has not yet competed in high level international competition it is strongly felt that the IBU Cup is the best place to begin for his progression as an athlete.  The ICC also noted that the athletes competing on the December IBU Cup have the same opportunity as World Cup athletes to qualify for the World Cups in January and February and World Championships in March.

The ICC in selecting Zach Hall noted that he had the next highest performance in the trials and was well ahead of the next rank competitor.

Russell Currier and Lowell Bailey will join Tim Burke, Jeremey Teela and Leif Nordgren for the December World Cup.

The World Cup gets underway on December 1st.