FEATURE
TAHOE DONNER MEMBERS GLIDING FOR THE GOLD By ALI DICKSON | Photos Courtesy of THE BIATHAMOMS
work. Even on off days, coach Eastwood created a training schedule The Tahoe Donner Cross Country Ski to stick to. Center has inspired and stoked skiers of “The laps around Lions Leap were a similar distance to the laps we were going to race. It’s an incredible amenity,” Lang-Ree remarked. all levels, from beginners to gold medal The terrain at Tahoe Donner not only helped enhance their physical shape but helped them become familiar with the style of race they athletes. Jen Lang-Ree and Elizabeth would encounter. “Buff” Wendt have been longtime True to their name, balancing biathlons and motherhood meant that everyone could train consecutively. Each woman dedicated herresidents of Tahoe Donner and members not self whenever she could, and friends and teammates alike supported each other with every glide of the way. “Training together for two of the Auburn Ski Club. On January 17, years and challenging each other has created tight friendships that with teammate Kim Harris, their women’s we will cherish forever,” Lang-Ree assured. biathlon team, The Biathamoms, took CONFIDENCE + ACCOMPLISHMENT When coach Halligan was unexpectedly unable to attend the gold in the relay at the Winter World Austrian games, support team Mischel Twining and Lucy Walker stepped up to help where they could. When needed equipment Masters Games in Austria.
THE MAKING OF MEDALISTS The Biathamoms consist of a close community of women who are either mothers themselves or figures within their community. The group has been training at the Auburn Ski Club for several years. Their name came to be when then-coach and TDXC trail designer Glenn Jobe grouped the moms together during biathlon practices. They soon became close friends. In 2018, their Master’s coach and teammate Dave Eastwood came up with the goal of training and competing in the 2020 Winter World Masters Games. Head coach Brian Halligan was happy to help with the training and even created a weekly "Biathlon University" class for further study. The biathlon competition was coveted with only 200 slots available worldwide, but the group was able to secure spots within the frantic 30 minutes before the entire event sold out. Official trainings held three times a week included roller skiing, over distance hikes, yoga and shooting drills in warmer months. When snow fell, the ski boots came on and early morning laps at Tahoe Donner commenced. Many teammates trained right at TDXC before
like scopes and ski wax didn't make it to Austria, teammates pitched in and shared what they had. They also helped each other zero their rifle shots for accuracy before the race began. Despite the obstacles, spirits were kept high and excitement was in the air. Preparation and positivity paid off as their relay team raced on to win gold, besting their competition by more than two minutes. “We were efficient, we worked well as a team and had a great rhythm,” Lang-Ree emphasized. Not only was there a gold medal-winning relay performance, but Wendt took third place and fellow biathlete Lisa Holan took second in individual racers within their age bracket, respectively. The group was enjoying the scenery after the competition when they got the good news.
“We went sightseeing after our races because we didn’t think we had placed,” explained Wendt. “Our times weren’t the best, but our shooting accuracy bumped us past competitors who took penalties for their shooting.” The Biathamoms continue to compete in local events, and both women have no intention of slowing down. “It’s great that people
