Cheering on Local Vermont Olympians

Vermont tends to produce more than its share of Winter Olympians (in fact, the highest number per capita in the United States!) thanks to its snowy climate and plentiful winter sport opportunities. This year is no exception. Here at Concept2, we’re especially excited for six young women who have trained at the nearby Craftsbury Outdoor Center, as part of the Craftsbury Green Racing Project. Four of them—Susan Dunklee, Ida Sargent, Emily Dreissigacker and Kaitlynn Miller—grew up in our neighborhood, skiing and running together often on our local trails. All six know the SkiErg well, and most have also done some rowing as good cross-training for skiing. Three are on the US Cross Country Ski Team and three are on the US Biathlon Team. Here’s a quick intro to “our” local Olympians.

Cross Country

(Races continue through Feb 23)

Ida Sargent, also a member of the 2014 Olympic Team, grew up in Barton, Vermont, and has been skiing at Craftsbury since she was a little girl. She’s been on the US Ski Team since 2009, and specializes in the Classic Sprint. You’ll see her racing with a cast on her thumb—an injury sustained at the last World Cup. The repair was made with competition in mind, so even with a cast, she can race.

First-time Olympian Caitlin Patterson, grew up in Alaska, and is a graduate of the University of Vermont. She’s been training at Craftsbury since 2012. At this year’s National Championships, she took gold in all four events, earning her a place on the Olympic Team. Her brother Scott is also on the team.

Kaitlynn Miller grew up in Elmore, Vermont, racing for both the Craftsbury and Stowe junior programs. She joined the Craftsbury Green Racing Project in 2014 and has since earned a number of national podiums and has raced in several World Cups. She was one of the latest additions to the team—which made it all the more exciting to see!

Biathlon

(Races continue through Feb 22)

Susan Dunklee, also a 2014 Olympian, has medaled at the World Cup level and is the US’s strongest hope for a women’s medal at these games (once she shakes a cold that hit her at the start of these games). She was ranked 10th in the world at the end of last winter, including a silver medal performance in the Individual event at last year’s World Championships. Susan is a native of Barton, Vermont, and now makes her home in Craftsbury.

Clare Egan is a Maine native who joined the Craftsbury Green Racing Project in 2011, picked up biathlon and has since moved to Lake Placid to train with the National team the past couple of years. She’s been on the World Cup circuit for several years now and is ranked second on the team this season. This is her first Olympics.

Emily Dreissigacker is the rookie, having switched from rowing to biathlon in 2015. Emily is a native of Morrisville, Vermont, and has been skiing at Craftsbury since she was little. She clinched her Olympic spot by shooting 20 for 20 in the final Trials race in January. Full disclosure, Em’s Dad and uncle are Dick and Peter Dreissigacker, Founders of Concept2.

Join us as we cheer on these inspiring athletes!

Photos courtesy of John Lazenby, Craftsbury Outdoor Center, and Steve Fuller.