Project X
U.S. Biathlon's Project X program is designed to identify high-level cross-country skiers and introduce them to biathlon. The program provides talented athletes with an opportunity to explore a pathway to international competition and the Olympic Games, leveraging their existing ski speed and the extensive support available within biathlon. Project X is primarily intended for XC athletes with a history of top-10 performances at Junior Nationals, NCAA, or U.S. Skiing's SuperTour skate races, those who hit the standards automatically qualify for Project X Elite Introduction Camps, though all interested athletes are encouraged to apply and will be considered for opportunities within the program. Please direct questions to TID@usbiathlon.org, thank you!
Why give biathlon a shot?
Project X is U.S. Biathlon's talent identification and development program designed to introduce high-performing cross-country skiers to biathlon and provide a direct pathway to international competition. The program focuses on athletes with strong skate skiing backgrounds and offers significant financial, coaching, and training support to help athletes determine whether biathlon is the right fit for their long-term goals.
Project X is intended for fast cross-country skiers who have demonstrated success at the national or collegiate level and have the potential to compete internationally in biathlon. Athletes with strong skate skiing results are particularly well-suited, as biathlon competition is contested exclusively in the skate technique.
Biathlon offers one of the most direct pathways to World Championship and Olympic teams for athletes with elite ski speed who are willing to invest time in developing their shooting skills. The program offers significant athlete support, international racing opportunities, and the chance to compete for World Cup, World Championship, and Olympic medals.
Yes! Many of U.S. Biathlon's most successful athletes, including Susan Dunklee, Clare Egan, Deedra Irwin, Jake Brown, and Paul Schommer, transitioned from cross-country skiing backgrounds. Internationally, athletes such as Denise Herrmann, Stina Nilsson, and Anamarija Lampič have also made successful transitions to biathlon and achieved World Cup success.
Project X athletes receive:
- Meals and lodging during camps
- Travel funding and athlete stipends
- Biathlon equipment and technical support
- Coaching from U.S. Biathlon staff
- Access to National Team training environments
- Opportunities for summer residency programs in Lake Placid
- Integration with National and Development Team camps
Support levels are tailored to each athlete's commitment and performance potential.
Project X camps are designed to introduce athletes to biathlon without disrupting their existing cross-country training plans. The camps primarily focus on learning and developing shooting skills while allowing athletes to maintain key cross-country training workouts.
Targeted athletes may be invited to multiple camps throughout the year, including:
- Summer Project X camps (June-August) in Lake Placid, NY
- May training opportunities in Bend, OR
- Summer events in Jericho, VT
- October training camp in Midway, UT
Yes! Project X is specifically designed to complement an athlete's existing cross-country skiing development. The program prioritizes maintaining key cross-country training sessions while introducing athletes to biathlon's technical components.
U.S. Biathlon provides some of the highest levels of direct athlete support among U.S. winter sport National Governing Bodies, including:
- Up to $36,000 annually in Direct Athlete Support
- Performance bonuses of up to $15,000 annually (based on World Championship results)
- International prize money opportunities paid by the International Biathlon Union through 30th place. Click HERE for more information.
- Travel, training, lodging, and equipment support for eligible athletes
National Team athletes may be eligible for:
- Free health insurance
- Free room and board at the Lake Placid Olympic & Paralympic Training Center (valued at approximately $90 per day)
- Access to other high-performance training environments
- Free online classes through Devry
- Scholarship opportunities at Paul Smith's College
- Access to U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Committee resources, including sports medicine, sports psychology, and career transition programs
- High-quality training and casual apparel provided by Official Apparel Provider, Maloja
Yes! U.S. Biathlon employs ski technicians based in Europe who maintain relationships with all major ski brands and are committed to providing athletes with the fastest possible equipment at international competitions.
Biathlon is one of the fastest-growing winter sports worldwide, with increasing participation and global viewership. Every World Cup race is broadcast internationally on Eurovision Sports, with tens of thousands of spectators packing the stadiums on race day, and the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Committee is actively supporting efforts to identify and develop top American cross-country ski talent for future international success in biathlon.
Biathlon rewards elite ski speed while adding the strategic and technical challenge of shooting. For athletes who enjoy competition and are willing to learn a new skill, the sport offers a unique opportunity to compete on the world's biggest stages with substantial organizational support and a clearly defined pathway to World Cups, World Championships, and the Olympic Games!
Will Koch
Logan Moore
Athlete Profile
Luci Anderson
Athlete ProfileLuci Anderson was first introduced to biathlon through Project X in 2023, and is now current member of the U.S. Biathlon Senior National Team, a 2026 Olympian and 2025 World Championships team member. From Golden Valley, MN, Luci trains with Team Birkie.
Margie Freed
Athlete ProfileMargie Freed, current member of the U.S. Biathlon Senior National Team, is a 2026 Olympian and 2025 World Championships team member. Margie was first introduced to biathlon in 2019 at the U.S. Biathlon Talent ID Camp, and then took a shot at the sport in 2020 through U.S. Biathlon's Project X Program after joining the Craftsbury Green Racing Project. She currently lives and trains in Craftsbury, Vermont.
Jake Brown
Athlete ProfileJake Brown, current member of the U.S. Biathlon Senior National Team, is a 2022 Olympian and 5x World Championships team member. Jake was introduced to biathlon in 2015 at the U.S. Biathlon Talent ID Camp. After two years with the U.S. Biathlon development program, he joined the Craftsbury Green Racing Project biathlon team in 2018 and lives and trains in Craftsbury, Vermont.
Susan Dunklee
Athlete ProfileSusan Dunklee first shot a biathlon rifle at the age of 22 when she joined the U.S. Biathlon development program in 2008. She is now the most decorated U.S. Biathlete in history, retiring in 2022 as a 3x Olympian and 8x World Championship team member with 2 World Championship silver medals and 5 World Cup medals.
Susan is now the Director of Biathlon at the Craftsbury Outdoor Center in Craftsbury, VT, as well as a member of U.S. Biathlon's Women's Coaching Initiative!
Deedra Irwin
Athlete ProfileDeedra Irwin, a current member of the U.S. Biathlon Senior National Team, began her biathlon career in Lake Placid, NY in 2017 at a talent ID camp. At the 2022 Olympics in Beijing, Deedra raced to 7th in the women's sprint, claiming the best-ever Olympic finish by an American biathlete in history. In addition to being a 2x Olympian, Deedra is a 4x World Championship team member.
Paul Schommer
Athlete ProfilePaul Schommer is a 2x Olympian and 4x World Championships team member, currently a part of U.S. Biathlon's Senior National Team. After coming up through U.S. Biathlon's talent ID program, he made his World Cup debut in 2017.
