Pyeongchang 2018

U.S. WOMEN HIT THE COURSE

Seven U.S. college athletes hit the snow on day one of Olympic competition in the women's biathlon 7.5k sprint and cross-country skiathlon. Emily Dreissigacker (Dartmouth), Clare Egan (Wellesley/New Hampshire), Susan Dunklee (Dartmouth) and Joanne Reid (Colorado) all raced in biathlon, while Caitlin Patterson (Vermont), Kikkan Randall (Alaska Pacific) and Rosie Brennan (Dartmouth/Alaska Pacific) crossed the finish line in the skiathlon.

In biathlon, former Dartmouth rower Dreissigacker posted the top finish for the U.S. after placing 51st (23:27.2) with one shooting penalty. With the top-60 finish, the first-time Olympian is the lone American women to qualify for the 10k pursuit, taking place on day three of competition. Egan followed closely behind Dreissigacker in 61st (23:51.6) with three shooting penalties, while Dunklee crossed the finish line in 66th (24:13.1) with five penalties. Reid rounded out her inaugural Olympic race in 86th place (26:18.8) after recording seven shooting penalties.

Of Team USA’s collegiate cross-country skiers, Patterson recorded the fastest time in her first Olympic race, the skiathlon, finishing 34th (44:14.9) in the event. Meanwhile, Randall crossed the line in 40th (44:47.2), and Brennan, a first-time Olympian who has been battling an illness, finished in 58th (47:36.0).

U.S. skier Jessie Diggins posted the best Team USA finish across either event, finishing the skiathlon in fifth with a time of 40:59.6. This finish marks the top cross-country skiing placement by an American female in Olympic history.

Women’s biathlon continues competition on day three with the 10k pursuit, while the women’s cross-country skiing team races again on day four in the individual sprint. The men’s biathlon and cross-country skiing teams kick off their Olympic programs on day two with the 10k sprint and skiathlon, respectively.