We, the undersigned athletes, community members, and supporters of U.S. biathlon, formally express our deep concern over Crosscut’s recent decision to liquidate the Elite Biathlon Team. The Crosscut board has stated that this decision is intended to improve the organization’s “long-term financial stability.” However, we firmly believe that dissolving the Elite Team will greatly harm both Crosscut’s mission and the effectiveness of the broader U.S. biathlon community.

The Crosscut Elite Team is not just a high-level training program, it is a crucial step for developing American biathletes at the highest level. By eliminating the elite team, Crosscut is undermining years of progress in developing a high-performance biathlon team in the United States, along with stripping away essential opportunities for new junior and collegiate athletes joining the sport.

 

The Original Mission of Crosscut

Crosscut was founded with the explicit goal of advancing Nordic skiing and biathlon for the community, by building on the legacy of the Bohart Ranch. When Crosscut merged with the Bohart ranch in 2016 under the great leadership of Eric Love, he had a dream that Crosscut would become a welcoming place for biathletes and Nordic skiers to practice their sport. Eric developed this dream by constructing a “world-class biathlon venue”, a facility designed to support elite athletes, and grassroots development alike. this million dollar investment was fully paid for by Eric Love’s incredible skill at fundraising, and by contributions from the community for the sport they love.

The new range signified Crosscut’s commitment to building a sustainable and competitive biathlon program under Eric Love’s skillful management, and continued influence. Things started to fall apart however when Eric was tragically killed in a car crash on July 15, 2022. Now, just a few years later, the decision to dismantle the Elite Team contradicts the principles on which Crosscut was built and envisioned. It disregards the history of biathlon in Bozeman, the vision of Eric who helped establish this program, and the trust placed in Crosscut by athletes who moved here to train.

 

The Loss to U.S. Biathlon and the Community

Crosscut is one of only two elite biathlon programs in the United States, alongside the Craftsbury Nordic Club in Vermont. These programs provide a vital link between junior racing and international competition. Without them, American biathletes are often forced to abandon the sport during their college years due to a lack of structured training and racing opportunities.

 

Eliminating the Elite Team will:

-  Weaken U.S. biathlon development by limiting pathways for junior athletes to continue training at a high level.

-  Reduce participation in international competitions, putting American athletes at a disadvantage compared to European competitors who have uninterrupted training throughout their careers.

-  Undermine the legacy and credibility of Crosscut as a premier biathlon training center.

-  Negatively impact the local community, which has rallied around biathlon through events like the Bangtail biathlon, and the Halloween race.

 

Lack of Transparency and Athlete Exclusion

Beyond the previously mentioned concerns, how this decision was made raises serious concerns. Neither the affected athletes nor our coaches, Seth Hubbard and Sydney Michalak, were included in the meeting, or even consulted before this decision was announced. This exclusion contradicts the values of transparency and community engagement that Crosscut was built upon.

Many athletes have made significant sacrifices—changing college plans, relocating to Bozeman, and committing years of training—based on the belief that Crosscut was dedicated to their development. Athletes like Levi and Elias Watson and Greyson Melocik have specifically moved or planned to move to Bozeman to train with Crosscut’s Elite Team. Dissolving the program disregards their commitment and leaves them without the opportunities they were promised.

 

A Better Solution

We acknowledge the financial challenges of sustaining an elite program. However, rather than liquidating the team, we urge Crosscut to consider structural reforms that could make the program financially sustainable while preserving its essential role in U.S. biathlon. Possible solutions include:

-  Restructuring the Elite Team’s funding model, seeking sponsorships and partnerships to offset costs.

-  Exploring alternative funding opportunities through grants, fundraising events, outside sponsors, and community support initiatives.

 

Our Request

We respectfully petition Crosscut’s Board of Directors to reconsider the decision to liquidate the Elite Biathlon Team and instead explore solutions that align with both Crosscut’s financial realities and its original mission. We urge the board to engage with athletes, coaches, and the wider biathlon community to find a path forward that preserves this vital program.

By eliminating the Elite Team, Crosscut is not only diminishing its credibility but also hindering the advancement of U.S. biathlon. We implore you to uphold your commitment to creating a world-class biathlon environment and to recognize the value that this program brings to both local and national athletes.

Sincerely,

Willett Richey, Sorin Huseby, the Elite Team, the U16-U18 team, and the Biathlon Community.