Rocky Mountain Nordic skiers have been representing themselves well at US Biathlon Olympic Trials, held in Fort Kent, Maine.

Among them are:

Sarah Konrad (Laramie, Wyo.) -- 11th in the first 15km on 12.29.05 (missing nine targets), 3rd in the 7.5km on 12.30.05 (seven misses) and 1st on 01.02.06 (eight misses). Note: Konrad is ranked 4th overall for women in USSA cross-country, which explains how she makes up the penalty time/distance for missed shots

Lanny Barnes (Durango, Colo.) -- 3rd on 12.29.05, 7th on 12.30.05, 6th on 01.02.06

Tracy Barnes (Durango, Colo.) -- 6th on 12.29.05, 4th on 12.30.05, 4th on 01.02.06

The Olympic qualifying standards for biathlon are, as in many other sports, full of esoteric minutiae, but at this point, it appears that Konrad is all but guaranteed a position on the team. Both Barnes sisters are solidly in the top six -- but only the top five will be heading to Torino. The final race of trials is tomorrow (01.03.06), and the US Biathlon Team for the 2006 Olympics is scheduled to be named after the event. Look for updates as news becomes available.

For stories/results: US Biathlon Web site