SOLIDIER HOLLOW, Utah – Athletes from the Maine Winter Sports Center took advantage of perfect fall conditions after a weekend of winter-like weather and fared well during training races with the U.S. Biathlon Team on Thursday.

Thursday’s race was the first in a three-race series that is being used to gauge the progress of training as well as to fill the final two spots on the women’s team for December World Cup races.

In the women’s race, Tracy Barnes-Colliander showed her veteran skills, hitting all 10 targets in world-class speed to win in 23 minutes, 12 seconds. Sara Studebaker took second with two penalties and Annelies Cook shot clean to take third.

Both Barnes-Colliander and Cook trained with the MWSC leading up to the 2006 Olympics. BethAnn Chamberlain of Caribou finished a strong seventh with four penalties.

“BethAnn skied very well today and her misses were so close,” said MWSC coach Gary Colliander after the race.

Hilary McNamee of Fort Fairfield finished 10th with one penalty, Grace Boutot of Fort Kent placed 11th with four penalties and Meagan Toussaint of Madawaska was 12th with four penalties.

In the men’s race, Lowell Bailey hit seven of 10 targets to claim victory. Jeremy Teela finished second with four penalties. Leif Nordgren hit eight of 10 targets to finish third; Russell Currier of Stockholm finished seventh with two penalties.

“Russell showed really good composure in the range today and looked very good in the skiing. He’s been fighting off a cold, so his goal today was to work on his technique and rhythm in the range,” Colliander said.

The athletes had an off-day on Friday and resume racing today with another sprint race. A mass start race is set for Sunday.

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