U.S. Navy photo by Journalist 1st Class Preston Keres |
| World class athlete Spc. Andrea Nahrgang passes the shooting range at Soldier Hollow during the women's 4 X 7.5km relay in the 2002 Winter Olympic Games, Feb. 18, 2002. Team. |
| Brian
Lepley Olympic Correspondent U.S. Army Community and Family Support Center Public Affairs MIDWAY, Utah — If it was a boxing match, it would have been stopped. But there’s no mercy rule at the Olympics, so the U.S. women’s biathlon team had to finish the 4 X 7.5 kilometer relay Monday. By the time Sgt. Kristina Sabasteanski crossed the finish line, race officials were ready to award medals. The Americans were last among 15 teams, almost 12-and-a-half minutes behind gold medallists Germany, more than six minutes behind 14th-place Japan. Army World Class Athletes Sabasteanski and Spc. Andrea Nahrgang joined Army National Guard Spc. Kara Salmela and civilian Rachel Steer in the effort. Only Steer distinguished herself, completing her leg more than a minute under each of her teammates’ times. “It’s tough being so far back, but the crowds are amazing. We were so far out, but the people were incredible,” Sabasteanski said. “Their cheering just kept you going ... just when you think you’re going to die you hear someone cheering and you just go faster.” Each skier covers 7.5K while visiting the range twice, shooting five rounds prone and five standing. Nahrgang began the race for the U.S. and fell precipitously behind leaving the range after shooting prone. “I felt like coming into the first range I shot well and I didn’t think I was that far behind. I wanted to stay with the group but I couldn’t do that today,” Nahrgang said. “I don’t know what happened ... my skiing didn’t feel that great and the snow got kind of slow.” By the time Nahrgang glided up and sent Salmela on her way, the team was almost four minutes behind. “It’s really hard to stay motivated when you lose contact [with the other skiers], especially in the first leg,” Salmela said. “You really want to be there so you can fight and I did; I did what I could. I was trying to make up time.” The Minnesota National Guard soldier completed her first loop quickly, but paid the price. “I felt great the first loop but as the race went along it got harder and harder for me to ski fast,” she said. “I had heavy thighs today.” Steer followed Salmela then it was Sabasteanski’s turn. By the time she was halfway through that last 7.5K loop the gold and silver [Norwegian] medallists were past the finish line. It was a frustrating end to a disappointing Olympics for the biathlon women. Americans consistently competing against Europeans doesn’t seem realistic yet. “[Biathlon] is a remote sport [in the U.S.] while in Europe it enjoys amazing popularity and facilities. You could look at the results of the individual races and see this happening today,” said Maj. Rick Oliver, WCAP assistant biathlon coach. “Kara is probably skiing the best of anyone on the team right now and Rachel is probably our best shooter but in a relay everyone has to put it all together.” The depth and experience of the European teams showed clearly in the relay Monday, he said. “We’ve got a young team and this is an experience sport,” Oliver said. “Look at the German team: they had three gold medallists, and they almost didn’t win the relay because of one miss.” For the three soldiers, it was probably their last Olympic hurrah. This was Salmela and Sabasteanski’s second straight games. For Sabasteanski, these American games were bittersweet. Her favorite races are the Pursuit and the Sprint. Only three skiers could compete and coach Algis Shalna sent Nahrgang, Salmela and Steer to those events. “It was very tough, they’re easily my best races, it was really hard not to be there,” Sabasteanski said. “The Olympics are amazing. I really like to do well, and it’s hard when you don’t meet your expectations.” She also plans to re-enlist as a fulltime Guard soldier at State Area Command, Vermont National Guard, but is undecided on her competitive biathlon future. “It would be incredible, a third Olympic team, but I don’t think so,” she said. “I’m hoping to have kids by then, but I also retired in ’99 for about six months so maybe there’s hope.” Salmela is definitely retiring from international biathlon, headed to massage school. Her husband Cory coaches the Junior National Biathlon team and she intends to be involved with them. She will re-enlist this summer. “It would be so nice in front of all the American fans to show that we can do well,” Salmela said. “ We can, but we’ve been totally off this week. It’s kind of a bummer that it happened here.” Nahrgang’s military commitment is over May 20. She is moving to Norway to go to college and be with her boyfriend. “I don’t have any regrets and I feel pretty good about that decision. I’m ready to start something new,” she said. She does not rule out a return to the national team. “We’ll just wait and see how I feel about it next year, after I’m away from the team and away from my friends for a while, see if I come back to trials next year,” she said. “I’m not sure.” The near future for the three will be busy. The World Military Championships are in Slovenia Feb. 27, three days after Olympic closing ceremonies. The national title races are in early March. WCAP is one of more than 200 Army Morale, Welfare and Recreation programs for soldiers and families worldwide provided by the U.S. Army Community and Family Support Center in Alexandria, Va. For athlete biographies and additional WCAP information, visit www.armymwr.com. |
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