Jay Hakkinen
Encyclopedia
Jay Hakkinen is a professional biathlete from Kasilof
, Alaska
. He is a four-time American Olympian
, and his 10th-place finish in the 20-kilometer individual race at the 2006 Winter Olympics
in Turin, Italy was the best finish ever by an American biathlete.
, where he won the Junior 5 km freestyle. He got involved in biathlon
when in 1994, he went for a year to a Norwegian
town in a student exchange program. His host parents were able to arrange for him to trade with a local biathlon
club. Within three years of returning home to Alaska, he was the Junior Champion of biathlon
.
in Turin, Italy. He had the 2nd fastest skiing time of anyone in the competition, but failed to medal because of penalties he earned while shooting. He vowed to medal in his next event, but instead missed all five targets and fell quickly out of contention. Hakkinen was the lead biathlete for the United States in the relay, and was in first place when he handed off to his teammate; ultimately, however, the United States finished in 9th in the relay.
Kasilof, Alaska
Kasilof is a census-designated place in Kenai Peninsula Borough, Alaska, United States. At the 2010 census the population was 549.-Geography:Kasilof is located at ....
, Alaska
Alaska
Alaska is the largest state in the United States by area. It is situated in the northwest extremity of the North American continent, with Canada to the east, the Arctic Ocean to the north, and the Pacific Ocean to the west and south, with Russia further west across the Bering Strait...
. He is a four-time American Olympian
United States at the Olympics
The United States of America has sent athletes to every celebration of the modern Olympic Games, except the 1980 Summer Olympics, which it boycotted.The United States Olympic Committee is the National Olympic Committee for the United States....
, and his 10th-place finish in the 20-kilometer individual race at the 2006 Winter Olympics
2006 Winter Olympics
The 2006 Winter Olympics, officially known as the XX Olympic Winter Games, was a winter multi-sport event which was celebrated in Turin, Italy from February 10, 2006, through February 26, 2006. This marked the second time Italy hosted the Olympic Winter Games, the first being the VII Olympic Winter...
in Turin, Italy was the best finish ever by an American biathlete.
Background
At the age of three, Hakkinen learned how to skate. Soon after, he picked up cross-country skiingCross-country skiing
Cross-country skiing is a winter sport in which participants propel themselves across snow-covered terrain using skis and poles...
, where he won the Junior 5 km freestyle. He got involved in biathlon
Biathlon
Biathlon is a term used to describe any sporting event made up of two disciplines. However, biathlon usually refers specifically to the winter sport that combines cross-country skiing and rifle shooting...
when in 1994, he went for a year to a Norwegian
Norway
Norway , officially the Kingdom of Norway, is a Nordic unitary constitutional monarchy whose territory comprises the western portion of the Scandinavian Peninsula, Jan Mayen, and the Arctic archipelago of Svalbard and Bouvet Island. Norway has a total area of and a population of about 4.9 million...
town in a student exchange program. His host parents were able to arrange for him to trade with a local biathlon
Biathlon
Biathlon is a term used to describe any sporting event made up of two disciplines. However, biathlon usually refers specifically to the winter sport that combines cross-country skiing and rifle shooting...
club. Within three years of returning home to Alaska, he was the Junior Champion of biathlon
Biathlon
Biathlon is a term used to describe any sporting event made up of two disciplines. However, biathlon usually refers specifically to the winter sport that combines cross-country skiing and rifle shooting...
.
Performance in Turin
Hakkinen placed 10th in the 20-kilometer individual race at the 2006 Winter Olympics2006 Winter Olympics
The 2006 Winter Olympics, officially known as the XX Olympic Winter Games, was a winter multi-sport event which was celebrated in Turin, Italy from February 10, 2006, through February 26, 2006. This marked the second time Italy hosted the Olympic Winter Games, the first being the VII Olympic Winter...
in Turin, Italy. He had the 2nd fastest skiing time of anyone in the competition, but failed to medal because of penalties he earned while shooting. He vowed to medal in his next event, but instead missed all five targets and fell quickly out of contention. Hakkinen was the lead biathlete for the United States in the relay, and was in first place when he handed off to his teammate; ultimately, however, the United States finished in 9th in the relay.