South Dakota National Guard
For Immediate Release: December 27, 2001
For More Information: Maj. Mark Johnston, 737-6721

RAPID CITY – Hill City resident Jesse Hansen knows he will have to ski and shoot the perfect race to qualify for the Olympics. Starting Saturday, December 29^th in Heber, UT, Hansen will get the chance.

Sgt. Jesse Hansen is a member of the National Guard Biathlon Team that is competing for one of four positions on the U.S. Olympic Biathlon Team. The Olympic trials begin Saturday and run through January 3^rd at the Soldier Hollow Olympic venue just outside Salt Lake City.

Hansen said, "Having spent a lot of time at Soldier Hollow, I know the conditions at the shooting range, the snow conditions, and how to wax for them." He is competing for one of four positions on the U.S team. The qualifying criterion for biathlon is based on the Olympic Trials, where they will score their best three of four races per person.

What started out as a hobby in 1989 lead Sgt. Hansen to move to Vermont to train at the National Guard Biathlon Training center at Camp Ethan Allen. There he competed as a member of the U.S. Military All-Guard Team 1991-2001, U.S. Junior Biathlon team in 1992, U.S. Senior Biathlon Team 1993-1995, and U.S. World Cup Competitor in 1993 and 1995. Sgt. Hansen is also no novice when it comes to the Olympic trials, he competed in 1994 and 1998, with a top finish of sixth place in 1998.

Sgt. Hansen knows what it takes to make the team. His key to success for the weekend is simple, " I have a lot of experience in the sport and competition at this level," he added , "To do well, I will have to shoot with very few errors."

Sgt. Hansen is a member of Headquarters, State Area Command, Rapid City, and owns a bicycle rental and tour business in Hill City.

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