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Heartbeat takes you inside the world of the unique Olympic sport of biathlon - a sport that combines the heart-pumping aerobics of cross country skiing combined with the precision element of marksmanship. The US Biathlon podcast brings you close to the athletes to dissect one of the most popularity of Olympic Winter Games sports.
[00:00:00] Tom Kelly: Luci Anderson and Margie Freed. Thanks for taking some time. Welcome to heartbeat.
[00:00:05] Margie Freed: Thanks for having us. Yeah. Thank you.
[00:00:08] Tom Kelly: So. So you guys are in Ruhpolding right now, right?
[00:00:13] Margie Freed: World Cup weekend.
[00:00:14] Tom Kelly: What? World Cup weekend? What's the atmosphere like there?
[00:00:19] Margie Freed: There's a lot of fans. Um, I have a friend who lives in Germany, but I grew up skiing with, who's coming to race. And Luci also has some family in town, so we're excited.
[00:00:32] Luci Anderson: Yeah, there's a lot of people out there, you know, so much fun.
[00:00:36] Tom Kelly: I have to tell a story, and I don't remember when this was, but years ago, I was somewhere else in Europe. Not all that far away at a probably a World Alpine Championships. And I was passing the time one day in the hotel, and they had coverage on from the World Championships in Ruhpolding, and I was absolutely blown away by how many people. Biathlon attracts to these big events, so I imagine the atmosphere there in Germany is much like that today, huh?
[00:01:06] Luci Anderson: Oh yeah, it's crazy. All the German fans like you can tell the fan clubs, they all have the same hats on. Like there's a lot of people out there dedicated to the sport.
[00:01:19] Tom Kelly: So before we get too deep into this, I want to congratulate both of you in making the Olympic team. We're going to we're going to get into more depth on it. But congratulations.
[00:01:30] Luci Anderson: Yeah. Thank you so much.
[00:01:34] Tom Kelly: So let's get into your backgrounds. Both of you have been on the podcast before, and we'll put the links to those in the in the show notes. But, uh, Margie, why don't you kick it off? I know both of you grew up racing in Minnesota. You both came from cross country. You both went on to colleges. But your pathways are a little bit different. So, Margie, why don't you kick it off and just give our listeners a little idea of your background in the sport?
[00:01:56] Margie Freed: Yeah, I started skiing when I was in middle school because my older sister joined the cross country ski team, and I wanted to be just like her. So I did, um, high school skiing in Minnesota, and then went on to ski for the University of Vermont, where I had a ton of fun with all my teammates, and I had some success there as well. And so then I decided to join a professional cross country ski team. So I joined the Craftsbury Green Racing Project, also in Vermont, and just had a had a blast doing that. Um, and the team also has biathlon. And so some of the teammates there were encouraging me to try biathlon, so I would join them for an afternoon session a couple times during the summer just to learn a new skill and try something different on my easy afternoons. And from there I was, um, then around for one of the biathlon trials races in Craftsbury, and ended up getting pretty lucky in one of the shooting days and qualified for a trip. And at this point, it was all kind of just as like, oh, I'm just doing this biathlon for fun, just to try something while obviously still skiing. And I found success in biathlon a little bit because it was something new and the progress was increasing very quickly. And I still had some goals in cross-country skiing that I wanted to do. Uh, and that was mainly the Minneapolis World Cup, um, in skiing. So I did a little bit of biathlon where it worked out and then focused on that World Cup. So I did that, and then by that point I had done enough biathlon where I was a little bit more interested in it and wanted to improve even more. So, then I kind of went full circle and switched all the way over to biathlon after kind of just starting it as a, as a bit as just for fun.
[00:04:07] Tom Kelly: Margie, let's go back to that summer where you just you're out at Craftsbury and you decided just kind of check it out a little bit. Did you ever did you have a thought at that early time that you would at some point be competitive in the sport and be heading to the Olympics?
[00:04:22] Margie Freed: I honestly didn't really see myself doing biathlon at that point, just because I didn't know much about the sport, and I thought it was just not really for me necessarily. I knew that there was sort of this like opportunity to do something more than there is in skiing, just because there's not so many people, especially women, that do it in the US. So I was able to like, get in, get my foot in the door pretty easily. But then making that extra jump was a little bit harder. Um, I didn't honestly think that I had a good shot at doing well until last year, when it kind of everything started to click a little bit more. So it was all just for the experience at the beginning.
[00:05:09] Tom Kelly: Cool. We'll come back to that a little bit more in just a minute, Luci. Your pathway again. You started out in Minnesota, skied in high school, went on to college. Then how did you find your way into the sport?
[00:05:20] Luci Anderson: Um, so I found my way to biathlon, uh, after my fourth year at University of New Hampshire. I, um, it was actually at NCAAs in Lake Placid. They were. There was some US biathlon people. I think it was Tim, actually, Tim Burke doing, um, having he had some rifles out there showing people how to shoot at NCAA championships. And I like kind of talked to my coach, uh, Shane at the time at UNH. Um, and he was like, Luci, if you want to do biathlon, like, you should go over there and talk to them. And I think Clare was also there, Clare Egan, and she's also a UNH grad. And so I kind of talked to her a little bit about biathlon too. And Tim was like, you should apply for Project X. Um, so just from there, I ended up going to a camp, uh, summer 2023, I believe it was. And Margie. Margie was there. And so we spent a week and I learned how to shoot a rifle. Um, I learned how to do biathlon, but then after that camp, I kind of just forgot about it. I was like, oh, I have one more year at UNH. I'm going to focus on cross-country. Um, just finish up my NCAA career. Um, but after that winter, Tim reached out to me again and was like, this is an opportunity for you still, like, um, you can pursue biathlon if you want to do it. And at that point, I was having some success in cross country, but nothing like and nothing crazy. So I was like, what am I going to lose by trying biathlon, you know? So I ended up doing a whole summer two summers ago with the biathlon team, and I really, really enjoyed it. And then I had last winter, um, doing all doing my first international biathlon season and had some success. And it was super fun. And now I'm here and it's kind of been a whirlwind, but I'm really happy with how it's turning out.
[00:07:22] Tom Kelly: Cool. I have a two-part question I'd like to pose to each of you, and the first part is, what are those things that really excites you about biathlon coming from cross country? What are the things? What's one thing that excites you? And number two, what's been the biggest challenge for you as you made this transition? Luci do you want to start it out?
[00:07:43] Luci Anderson: Yeah, I think the most exciting thing about biathlon for me is just the potential to do. Well, um, like I know for Margie and I, like, we have our ski speed is there, and if you hit the targets, you can do well. And so every time you shoot better, you shoot faster. Um, it's just, like, kind of addicting to see how well you can do. Yeah. What was the other?
[00:08:09] Tom Kelly: And how about the biggest challenge for you? The biggest. The biggest challenge.
[00:08:12] Luci Anderson: Yeah. Okay. Um, I would say on the other side of that, the biggest challenge is the shooting, um, the shooting speed, the accuracy actually hitting those targets. So when that comes together, um, there's definitely success. But, uh, that's a challenge.
[00:08:33] Tom Kelly: Margie, how about you? What excites you? And what's the biggest challenge?
[00:08:37] Margie Freed: Uh, what excites me about biathlon is the mental challenge. I had never really done any sort of precision sport or really thought about. Had to do so much visualization and try and focus on one little skill at a time. And so I really liked learning this new skill and, um, yeah, trying something new when I'm not necessarily in school and when I'm a little bit older. And the biggest challenge for me, I think, is the amount of time that biathlon takes. And it's when we're traveling all season that's, um, pretty hard to not really have any sort of other life. And so I think that's been the biggest challenge for me.
[00:09:25] Tom Kelly: You know, what's fascinating to me is that each of you, for your most exciting part, picked something because it challenges you as an athlete. And, you know, Luci, what do you think about that?
[00:09:38] Luci Anderson: Yeah, I think that being a professional athlete like everybody who is one, I don't know if I'm wording this right, like wants the challenge. Like we crave the challenge. And, um, it's just so exciting to push yourself to be better every single day, like, mentally and physically. Um, and also being out here, like, with other people that are challenging you, um, your teammates and your competitors. So. Yeah.
[00:10:08] Tom Kelly: And, Marjorie, what joy do you find in that mental challenge? Just elaborate a little bit more.
[00:10:11] Margie Freed: Yeah, kind of like I said a little bit earlier, just learning something new and working on something is pretty cool. It kind of brings me back to feeling like a kid again, where I'm trying something for the first time and it's okay to mess up. It's okay to not be perfect. And moving on from there. I think that that is also prepping me for the rest of my life, because it's taking something that I don't really know what's going on and working at it.
[00:10:41] Tom Kelly: Yeah, that is awesome. I want to talk about the actual process that you guys have been through. You're really the next generation of, uh, us biathletes going on to the Olympics. You're both making your Olympic debut. And, Margie, why don't you start it out and just talk a little bit about the selection process? And I'm less concerned about kind of the points and everything else. But just mentally, as you're going through the last months and up to the trials events, you know, what's going through your mind relative to the possibilities of making the Olympic team and how that really challenged you.
[00:11:14] Margie Freed: There was definitely a lot of stress going into the season, just with teams and racing, whether that be team dynamics, because everyone wants to do well, but they also want to see their friends do well, and then also the racing where each race brings a new opportunity to do well and make that qualification criteria. So it was a big process of managing stress and then also trying to have set yourself up for a good season. So I think that now that that process is finally over, it's been nice to relax and be able to kind of focus on peaking a little bit more for the February games.
[00:11:58] Tom Kelly: Luci, what was your experience the last few months?
[00:12:00] Luci Anderson: Yeah, there's definitely a lot of stress involved with the qualification, and that's kind of always, uh, it's been like looming in the back of my head, uh, the whole season up until, I guess, uh, after trials when I qualified. Um, but I always find that I race better when I'm not stressed. So I always just tell myself to do my best and that whatever happens, happens. And I know that I can race fast, and I know I can do well. But I also know that all of my teammates can race fast and do well. So no matter what the outcome, no matter what the outcome was going to be, I was going to be, uh, pleased. So, um, it's been stressful, but I think after that qualification has been taken care of, pressure is lifted for sure. So yeah.
[00:12:51] Tom Kelly: Well, again, congratulations to both of you. We're going to take a short break and we'll be right back on Heartbeat with Luci Anderson and Margie Fried coming to us today. Live from Ruhpolding.
[00:13:20] Tom Kelly: We are back on Heartbeat. Coming to you live today from Ruhpolding, Germany, with Luci Anderson and Margie Freed on the eve of the Olympic Winter Games. And I want to talk about the venue in Antholz. This is a. One of the things that's interesting at the Olympics is that oftentimes the Olympics are taking us to new venues or venues we've just simply not been to before in a sport. In this case with biathlon, we're going to the venue. That's kind of the Super Bowl of biathlon. Antholz, Italy an amazing place. And Margie, I want to start with you. You actually have experience racing there at the World Cup level. Tell us about the venue and kind of what you're looking forward to as you head to the Olympics in just a few weeks.
[00:14:08] Margie Freed: I think that the venue is I don't want to say like every other venue, but there's a lot of fans, there's a lot of energy, and the biathlon is good. So it's in that regards. It's just like every other biathlon venue. The skiing itself is difficult. There's a lot of transitions, there's big hills, there's fast downhills and the range approach is a little bit of an uphill. So that gives athletes a little bit of a challenge there. And other than that, I think that it's going to be a great, great venue. And the the scenery is also beautiful. So for the fans watching, it'll be beautiful. Hopefully the sun is shining, so it's going to be great.
[00:14:55] Tom Kelly: And Luci, I know you haven't raced there in full World Cup uh, crowds yet, but you've been there for trials. You've been there for camps. But what are you looking forward to at Antholz from a venue perspective?
[00:15:08] Luci Anderson: I'm just looking forward to seeing those stands full of people. Uh, when we were there for our trials this past month, they were setting everything up. So, um, I know that they're preparing for a lot of fans to be there and a lot of spectacle to be happening for the Olympics. So I'm kind of expecting it to be similar to, uh, just any normal World Cup. It'll be all the same, uh, same competitors, same coaches, um, same people around. So I'm kind of just telling myself that it's just another World Cup, just so I don't get too stressed out about it. Um, but yeah, I'm super excited. It'll be great.
[00:15:52] Tom Kelly: Cool. We're recording this, uh, when you're at the Ruhpolding World Cup. A couple of weeks to go before we head to Milan-Cortina for the Olympic Winter Games. Luci, if you could kick it off and just talk a little bit about what your preparation will be from now up until the time that you compete in Antholz.
[00:16:10] Luci Anderson: Um, next week we have a World Cup in Nové Mesto that I'm not going to be attending just because I've been racing continuously, I think, for the past seven weeks, um, with trials and World Cups and everything. So I'm taking a little bit of a break. And then we have, I think there's about three weeks until we go to Antholz actually, um, and start the, the, the games' preparation, I guess, will be going to Ridnaun for a couple of weeks for just a preparation camp. Um, yeah, but mostly I'll just be relaxing, resting up, tapering before the Olympics. Um, but trying not to do anything too crazy because it's just another race. So I will be I will be preparing for it. Just like another race.
[00:17:00] Tom Kelly: Margie, how about you? I imagine it's somewhat similar plan.
[00:17:03] Margie Freed: Yeah. It's similar. I will be planning to do the Novo Mesto World Cup though. So after that, then I'll meet back up with Luci.
[00:17:14] Tom Kelly: And looking at the games themselves, this will be a new experience for each of you. And I know that athletes like to treat it as another World Cup, but it is the Olympics. And Margie, I'll start with you. But when you look to the, uh, to the Olympics coming up in, in Antholz, what expectations do you have for yourself? First of all.
[00:17:35] Margie Freed: I sort of have similar expectations to how I or the goals that I have for this whole season, which are to have fun and to do things that I'm proud of myself. And so I'm excited to share that experience, the Olympic experience with all of my friends and family that are coming to visit, and also soak up the experience with myself and with my teammates.
[00:18:03] Tom Kelly: Do you have some, uh, good contingent of friends and family coming?
[00:18:07] Margie Freed: Yes, I have, um, my immediate family, some extended family, and a whole bunch of friends that are coming from Minnesota, which I'm really excited about.
[00:18:18] Tom Kelly: Always nice to have a fan club, huh? Luci, how about how about you? What are your expectations as you head to your first Olympic Games?
[00:18:27] Luci Anderson: Uh, honestly. No expectations. I am so new to this sport that I still don't know. Like how I can do. Um, but yeah, similar to Marjorie. Just like having fun and soaking up the experience, I think it's going to be such a cool, once-in-a-lifetime thing to do. Um, and I'm also having some of my friends and family come out as well, so I'm so excited to share that with them as well.
[00:18:54] Tom Kelly: Have your friends and family been able to find their way to the, uh, Antholz Valley and find a place to stay?
[00:18:59] Luci Anderson: Yeah, actually, my parents are staying closer to the venue than than we are. I don't know how they pulled that, but might have to stay with them for a couple nights.
[00:19:12] Tom Kelly: Yeah, it's always a challenge. Um, as we as we wrap up, I'd like each of you to just kind of reflect a little bit. Uh, you've got almost a giddiness and going to your first Olympics and the excitement of what you guys have each accomplished as as athletes. And, uh, maybe, Luci, if you could kick it out. Kick it off. But what reflective thoughts do you have about your career in the sport of cross country and now biathlon, and you're heading to your first Olympic Games?
[00:19:41] Speaker6: Yeah, I.
[00:19:42] Luci Anderson: Honestly never would have thought that I would end up here and doing biathlon first of all, and qualifying for my first Olympics. Um, honestly, in college I was honestly thinking about just being done with sport entirely and, um, moving on to a normal life. But you never know what's going to happen. And I'm just so grateful that I took this opportunity and that I'm doing what I do, and I love what I do. So, um, I just think, like, growing up, you never know what's going to happen, and you just take those opportunities and have fun.
[00:20:21] Tom Kelly: Have fun is the most important. Margie.
[00:20:23] Margie Freed: Your reflections are similar to Luci. Didn't really know what to expect going into biathlon. So I'm really excited to be here and I am so appreciative of all the coaches and teammates that put in work to help me get better at this sport, and so I also want them to like, feel good about that and that they helped me get there.
[00:20:49] Tom Kelly: Awesome. We're going to close that out with our on target section. I have a few final questions for each of you, and I want to kick it off. And I'm going to go to you first. Margie, your first Olympic memory as a child, what was your very first Olympic memory as a child?
[00:21:05] Margie Freed: I remember watching the Summer Olympics, watching some swimming events happening when I was a little kid at my grandparents house in, in August, just sitting at the TV watching it. And, um, you know, I didn't really know what the Olympics was, or I just knew that these athletes were going. And I especially liked watching the diving.
[00:21:29] Tom Kelly: Luci, how about you?
[00:21:31] Luci Anderson: I honestly, I don't know, like, I feel like just watching maybe like Shaun White doing some halfpipe tricks and I'm like, wow, that's that's pretty cool. All right. Okay, move on to the next. I'm going out skiing.
[00:21:48] Tom Kelly: Yeah. You're keeping it closer to ground level. Yeah. Okay, let's take you out to the World Cup tour. Now, for each of you, Luci, I'm going to start with you. Uh, something that you enjoy on the road that has nothing to do with biathlon.
[00:22:04] Luci Anderson: A cappuccino. I love finding the closest cafe to wherever we're staying. Getting a cappuccino. Um, when that's not available, I do a lot of knitting.
[00:22:17] Tom Kelly: Awesome. And actually, yes, I know I've been looking at both of your scars. My wife is a knitter, so I also appreciate athletes who knit. Um, Luci, have you found like, your quintessential favorite cafe on the tour somewhere that you just love going back to?
[00:22:34] Luci Anderson: I don't think I've been back to too many places yet. Like I've only been on the tour for like a year now, so I think I'll, I think I'll find that in a couple years. So come back to me with that one.
[00:22:49] Tom Kelly: Okay. You'll probably find it in Italy. Margie, how about you? Something that you enjoy on the road that has nothing to do with biathlon?
[00:22:56] Margie Freed: I really enjoyed looking at all of the farm animals that are in these little towns that we stay in, so there's always the cows to go see, and there's a bunch of barn cats running around, and I love petting a cat. And so that's always fun. And maybe they'll have some ducks or there'll be some birds flying around. So I like looking at all the critters.
[00:23:21] Tom Kelly: That is awesome. Last question for you guys. Um, and we'll start with you, Margie. You guys are now Olympians. In just one word. What does that mean to you, Margie? One word. What does it mean to you to be an Olympian?
[00:23:39] Margie Freed: Ooh, that's kind of hard.
[00:23:41] Margie Freed: Hard work. That's one word.
[00:23:43] Tom Kelly: Hard work. Okay, it's one word. We'll put them together. Luci, how about you? One word. Um.
[00:23:55] Luci Anderson: Perseverance. Is that a good word?
[00:23:58] Tom Kelly: Perseverance. That is an awesome word.
[00:24:01] Luci Anderson: Awesome.
[00:24:05] Tom Kelly: Congratulations to both of you, Luci Anderson. Margie fried. Uh, it's been fun watching you progress over the last couple of years, and we wish you all the best in Antholz. America will be cheering you on.
[00:24:16] Luci Anderson: Thank you.
[00:24:17] Margie Freed: Thank you.