Minnesota natives Luci Anderson and Margie Freed followed similar pathways as state high school cross country stars and successful collegiate skiers. Then both discovered biathlon. And just a few years later, both will make their Olympic biathlon debut at the Milano-Cortina Games this February. Anderson and Freed joined Heartbeat from the IBU World Cup in Ruhpolding on the eve of the Games.

Freed, now 28, picked up the new sport while training with Craftsbury Green Racing Project after a successful career at University of Vermont. Going into the 2023 season, she borrowed a biathlon rifle and qualified for the European Championships, eventually having the USA’s best IBU Cup finish that season. Now, she’s a regular on the IBU World Cup.

Meanwhile, Anderson, now 25, skied five seasons for the University of New Hampshire Wildcats, with six NCAA wins. Skiing with Team Birkie, she gave biathlon a try in the summer of 2024, qualifying for the IBU Cup at trials that October. She quickly got her chance at the World Cup.

Both are examples of U.S. Biathlon’s transfer initiative, finding experienced cross country ski racers who want to give biathlon a try. And both are products of U.S. Biathlon’s Project X.

With the Olympics in Antholz just around the corner, Anderson and Freed are excited about their opportunity. In this episode of Heartbeat, they talk about their unique pathways, share encouragement to others, and look forward to their dream of becoming Olympians with Team USA.

PAST EPISODES

Luci Anderson: Exhilaration of a New Sport - Jan. 2025

Margie Freed: From XC to Biathlon - Nov. 2023