Two Skis and a Rifle: An Introduction to Biathlon

by Michael P. Nordvall

This 2020 revised and updated first edition of Two Skis and a Rifle introduces the reader to biathlon, the Winter Olympic endeavor that simultaneously combines precision rifle marksmanship under the duress of cross-country (Nordic) skiing.  With roots in Norwegian and global military history, the sport has blossomed from high latitude training exercises into a modern annual World Cup season.  Novice and dedicated fans alike will discover technical details on and athlete accounts of travelling to and navigating around typical venues, physical requirements of training and competing, team and athlete race preparation, rifle construction and marksmanship, ski fabrication and technique, and the diversity of competitions and rules governing the sport, not least of which are efforts to control doping.  There is a decidedly American slant to the writing which the author humbly hopes will generate wider interest and understanding of biathlon in the United States.  In fact, the United States recently has had great success on the World Cup circuit, placing athletes in the medals at the yearly World Championships, the single most important event in the sport other than the Winter Olympic Games.  There is no better time than now to become acquainted with this most popular European spectacle.

182 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 9, 2017

Reviews

[Tish · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a recreational athlete myself and someone who is interested in a wide variety of sports, I found Two Skis and a Rifle to be an inspirational and educational read. I now look forward even more to the Winter Olympics in 2022, and know that part of my preparation will be learning more about our Team USA Biathletes. Thanks to my time well spent reading my first book on the sport of biathlon I have gained respect for these endurance athletes that seem to be the most well rounded athletes of any sport. The athletes and families sacrifice much to achieve a competitive level in this obscure sport. I actually wish I could have grown up in Craftsbury, VT so I could have been rubbing shoulders with Susan Dunklee. I hope to be a biathlon fan one day at one of the venues and I will bring plenty of cowbells to cheer on these world class athletes. I will also continue my study of the sport to be a better advocate for its growth and the protection of its lore.