Weather turns against biathelete Tim Burke
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U.S. biathlete Tim Burke has competed in all types of weather during his career -- on Sunday, he got them all in one race.
On an afternoon when sunshine turned to rain and then snow, all within half an hour, Burke finished a disappointing 47th in the 10-kilometer sprint, won by Vincent Jay of France.
The top finishers had the advantage of starting early in the staggered-start event and getting off the course before skies darkened and the going turned slushy. Considered an outside shot to medal, Burke was not as fortunate and endured what he called the ‘most frustrating’ race of his career.
The Lake Placid, N.Y., resident still has a number of events coming, including the 12.5-kilometer pursuit and the 20-kilometer individual.
‘Luckily, with biathlon you have more than one chance,’ he said.
Among other U.S. skiers, Jeremy Teela finished ninth, Lowell Bailey finished 36th and Jay Hakkinen was 54th.
-- David Wharton