In this episode of Race Ready, hosts Andy Newell and Brian Halligan welcome three-time Olympian and World Championship medalist Susan Dunklee for a wide-ranging conversation about her journey from Vermont ski racer to international biathlon standout. Susan reflects on her early days growing up in a skiing family, her transition into biathlon through the early days of "Project X", and the pivotal advice from her father that set her on the path to competing at the highest level. She shares stories of racing in front of massive European crowds, breakthrough performances on the World Cup, and the psychological challenges of balancing ski speed with precision shooting.
The discussion also dives into Susan’s training philosophies and the adjustments she made throughout her career to remain competitive over 11 seasons on the World Cup. She explains how she tackled weaknesses on the shooting range, developed resilience through process-oriented racing, and found balance by embracing her community at the Craftsbury Outdoor Center. The hosts highlight her 2017 World Championship silver medal performance as a career-defining moment and explore what it meant for American biathlon to achieve international success. Susan also offers perspective on longevity in elite sport, emphasizing the importance of keeping training fun and building supportive team cultures.
Now serving as the Director of Biathlon at Craftsbury, Susan reflects on her transition into coaching and mentoring the next generation. She shares insights on teaching fundamentals, fostering a learning mindset in young athletes, and even creating lasting traditions like the “silver bib” for older competitors. The conversation rounds out with Susan’s work supporting para athletes and her passion for growing inclusive communities in sport. This episode is both an inspiring look back at a decorated career and a forward-looking exploration of how one athlete’s legacy continues to shape the future of biathlon.
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