Elite Team: Mikayla Maier

Mikayla Maier, Biathlon

What is your Instagram handle?

@mikaylamaier

What is your hometown?

Auburn, CA

What is your favorite race venue?

Wario Mountain (Mario Kart)

What is your go-to pre-race song/soundtrack?

Good Thing (DENM)

What other hobbies and/or side gigs do you have going on?

Helicopter flying, being an official NOAA weather watcher, geeking out on the weather models and gardening

What would an ideal day look like for you?

Waking up to a fox in our backyard after a foot of fresh snow has flocked all the trees, followed by hitting the freshly groomed trails up at Crosscut. Might also cap off the day by watching Outer Banks (again).

Any sponsor shoutouts?

I’m a proud Rossi athlete and have appreciated their support over the past three years.

Follow Mikayla

@mikaylamaier

Elite Team: Max Durtschi

Max Durtschi, Biathlon

What is your instagram handle

@mdurtschi26

What is your hometown?

Ketchum, ID

What is your favorite race venue?

Antholz, Italy

What is your go-to pre-race song/soundtrack?

"Harder Than You Think" by Public Enemy

What other hobbies and/or side gigs do you have going on?

I work as a biomedical researcher at Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center and Thayer School of Engineering.

What would an ideal day look like for you?

Spending time outside with my wonderful fiancé and friends.

Sponsor Shoutouts:

Willie Neal Environmental Awareness Foundation, Protect Our Winters

Follow Max

@mdurtschi26

Elite Team: Ari Woods

Ari Woods, Biathlon

What is your instagram handle

@ari_on_safari

What is your hometown?

I grew up in the quaint town of McCall, Idaho.

What is your favorite race venue?

My favorite race venue is the radical one in Lenzerheide Switzerland that I got to race at last winter at biathlon world junior championships.

What is your go-to pre-race song/soundtrack?

"Eye of the Tiger" by Survivor

What other hobbies and/or side gigs do you have going on?

I am an avid foodie, water skier, climber, mountain biker, paddle boarder, kayak cleaner, watercolorist, dancer (mostly in the gym with @lukemoose) and ripsticker.

What would an ideal day look like for you?

An ideal day would start with me waking up at or after 9am and laying in bed stretching for a solid period of time, then I would meander out of bed and eat waffles with caramelized apples and a healthy dose of whipped cream, next I would go do some sort of exhilarating, heart pumping sport with my pals and afterwards I’d eat lunch and paint in a hammock with my dog. The evening would include either climbing or waterskiing followed by a sunset stroll with my friends as we talk about the intricacies of spiderwebs. Stargazing on a mosquito free granite island in the middle of a turquoise lake would be the final splendid event of the day.

Sponsor Shoutouts:

My sponsors include all my amazing friends who have supported my trips to Europe these past few years as well as Yates Climbing gear and Rossignol. My most important sponsors have been and always will be my parents, Stef and Chris Woods.

Follow Ari

@ari_on_safari

Elite Team: Luke Brown

Luke Brown, Biathlon

What is your Instagram handle?

@lukemoose11

What is your hometown?

St. Paul, MN

What is your favorite race venue?

The Birkie Trail

What is your go-to pre-race song/soundtrack?

Oh man! It could be Chance the Rapper, the Les Mis soundtrack, Tall Heights, Bruce Springsteen, or Fleetwood Mac. It just depends on the day and race.

What other hobbies and/or side gigs do you have going on?

I’m a freelance writer and tutor. I enjoy reading on the porch, hanging out at coffee shops, taking naps, gardening, and looking at mountains and flowers.

What would an ideal day look like for you?

Awaking in a mountain cabin I would stumble straight out the door and into a cold pond. Now rejuvenated after a solid slumber, I’d pick blueberries to put in my greek yogurt which I’d eat while drinking coffee and reading something in the Bible. Heading out the door and straight into the mountains on foot or skis I would spend the day outside, moving, thinking, and appreciating the beauty in our world. An evening sauna and time to read would seal the deal.

Any sponsor shoutouts?

Rossignol - skis and boots; Swix - poles; Smith - glasses and helmets; Finn Sisu Ski Store; Farm to Feet - socks

Follow Luke

@lukemoose11

Elite Team: Lucy Hochschartner

Lucy Hochschartner, Biathlon

What is your instagram handle

@lucyhoch

What is your hometown?

Lake Placid, NY

What is your favorite race venue?

Nakkertok, Quebec

What is your go-to pre-race song/soundtrack?

Ke$ha's glittery bops are simply the best

What other hobbies and/or side gigs do you have going on?

I work for a local political campaign.

What would an ideal day look like for you?

Anything that includes lots of snacks and lots of laughs.

Follow Lucy

@lucyhoch

Elite Team: Ingrid Thyr

Ingrid Thyr, Nordic

What is your Instagram handle?

@ingrid.thyr

What is your hometown?

Minneapolis, MN

What is your favorite race venue?

The Chickadee Challenge at Prospect Mountain, VT

What is your go-to pre-race song/soundtrack?

Dégénérations / Le reel du fossé (Mes Aïeux)

What other hobbies and/or side gigs do you have going on?

Part-time Barista/Burrito Babe at Café M in Bozeman and full-time crossword connoisseur

What would an ideal day look like for you?

Waking up without an alarm after a great night’s sleep to the scent of pumpkin pancakes being cooked, eating said pancakes over the Sunday New York Times crossword, heading out into the mountains for an epic adventure with friends and views and no bugs nor bonks, then following up with a post-adventure meal at a dinky diner and a hefty nap with my dog, Gertie. Probably some cuddling with the hot water bottle involved too at some point.

Any sponsor shoutouts?

Big thanks to Madshus and Rugette for their support!

Follow Ingrid

@ingrid.thyr