Van Dorn Races to Personal Best With Top 15 in Madona

Abigail Van Dorn (Lake Placid, NY/NYSEF Pro) made her international racing debut just two days ago, and today, she raced to 13th in the junior women’s 7.5km sprint at IBU Junior Cup 3 in Madona, LAT. 

It was a day of firsts for Van Dorn. In addition to capturing her first top 15, she also shot a perfect 10 for 10 on the range for the first time! 

“It was great,” said Van Dorn after the race. “I had a lot of fun, and I’ve never cleaned before!” 

Teammate Annelise Baird (Brainerd, MN/Team Soldier Hollow) put two U.S. women in the top 35 with her 31st place finish, shooting 8 for 10 on the day. Haley Finch (Anchorage, AK/Alaska Winter Stars) landed 40th, also shooting clean. Brenna Barton (Bozeman, MT/Team Soldier Hollow) placed 49th with three misses, and Alex Taylor (Lincoln, MA/HSC Massachusetts Biathlon) placed 53rd with five misses. 

Earlier in the day, the U.S. junior men toed the line in their respective sprint race. Elias Watson (Anchorage, AK/Anchorage Biathlon Club) led the squad in 34th, shooting clean. Eric Anderson (Frontenac,MN/Bluff Country Biathlon) followed closely behind in 39th with four misses on the day. Thomas Van De Kamp (Salt Lake City, UT/ Team Soldier Hollow) put three in the top 40, in 40th place with three misses. Aidan Sands (Mazama, WA/Team Altius, with three misses, placed 44th, and Tristan Thrasher (Steamboat Springs, CO/Team Altius) raced to 55th, also with three misses. 

The final day of racing takes place tomorrow in Madona with back-to-back mass start 60 races. The junior men kick things off at 4:15 ET/11:15 EET with the 12km mass start 60, followed by the junior women’s 9km mass start 60 at 6:30 ET/13:30 EET. Racing can be followed live on the IBU App; for more information on how to download, click HERE.