The Penalty Loop Podcast

Penalty Loop Biathlon Podcast Episode 81 Oestersund Recap Pt 2

The first full week of biathlon is in the books so we reconvene to discuss the latest action! If you missed part 1 which came out late last week it covers the mixed relays, the individuals, and the women's relay. 
In this show we talk about:
- The freezing weather, wax, the skis and how it all affected the racing
- The Sturla Holm Laegreid question and the dilemma facing the Norwegian men
- Sebbe Samuelsson's big finish
- Lou Jeanmonnot is here and for real!
- Preuss and Voigt looking strong
- Surprisingly strong Norwegian women
- and more!
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Penalty Loop Podcast Episode 80 - Oestersund Recap Pt 1

Jordan and RJ get together for a phrenetic recap of the first five events of the IBU World Cup season. This episode was recorded just after the Women's Relay in Oestersund but before the Men's Relay, so we discuss everything from season opening Single Mixed Relay through the Women's Relay on Wednesday. Fair warning, we were REALLY excited about this so we jump from topic to topic very quickly. Just like the athletes, we'll warm into the season!

Penalty Loop Podcast Episode 79 - 2023-2024 Season Preview Part 2 with Kristian Wulff

Danish athlete, coach, and Danish TV2 national biathlon commentator Kristian Wulff joins to help us prepare for the upcoming season! We get right into the #1 issue of the upcoming season, waxing and how it will dramatically affect the racing. We also touch on a few of Kristian's other stories to watch, some under the radar athletes, and his predicted top 3. 
Jordan and RJ then close out our season previews with some final thoughts and Jordan forces RJ to make 10 predictions for the upcoming season. Enjoy!

Penalty Loop Podcast Episode 74 -2023-2024 Season Preview

The biathlon season is finally here! This is part 1 of our 2 part season preview. We start out with a look back at some of the big stories of last year including JT Boe and QFM as well as the new generation of biathlon on the men's side and Julia Simon, Wierer and Vittozzi coming on strong, and Elvira Oeberg looking not quite like herself. Then we try to think of some major questions/storylines for some of the major teams this season:
- Is the next generation of Norwegian women ready to lead?
- Which of the exciting women's teams will see the most new blood?
Plus plenty more!
And don't miss part 2 in just 2 days!

Penalty Loop Biathlon Podcast Niklas Hartweg Interview Part 2

In the conclusion to our fantastic talk with rising Swiss biathlon start Niklas Hartweg we hit a number of really great topics including
- Listening to your body for training and competition
- The new generation of Swiss biathletes and coaches changing the team
- What it's like racing in Switzerland
- The best snacks
- Hartweg's plans for a Swiss kit

Penalty Loop Podcast Episode 73 - Niklas Hartweg Interview Pt 1

As the 2023-2024 season rapidly approaches we continued our efforts to interview some of the top new names in biathlon, this time with Niklas Hartweg. This episode starts right in the middle of a discussion between Nik and RJ about Hartweg's artistic side. It was going on before we started recording and because it was so interesting I just hit record to catch as much as possible. After that we hit several great topics including:
- Nik's vacations
- His friendly rivalry with Tommaso Giacomel
- The amazing 2022-2023 Blue Bib race
- How to learn to listen to your body 
Part 2 coming soon!

Penalty Loop Podcast Episode 72 Hanna Kebinger Interview

There is only one way to describe Hanna Kebinger: Persistence. Join us for this fabulous conversation as we see how persistence truly has paid off for Hanna time and time again. We all cheered along with her as she made her triumphant breakthrough last spring but after this, you'll be even more of a fan. This was truly a delight!

Penalty Loop Podcast 67 Pt 3 Clare Egan!!

Part 3 is the conclusion to our massive interview with Clare Egan. Here we get into the fun stuff like:
- Why does Clare love pigs?
- Did she wear a knit wool bra in Beijing?
- Her personal Tour de France travels!

Penalty Loop Podcast 67 Pt 2 - Clare Egan!!

Part 2 of our awesome discussion with Clare Egan! In this section we get DEEEEEP into some big topics including:
1) Doping (5:35)
2) Relations with Russian and Belarussian federations/athletes (19:20)
3) Climate change (31:00)
4) Training for the big shot (57:00)
Part 3 coming later this week!
 

Penalty Loop Biathlon Podcast #71- Baiba Bendika Returns

Baiba Bendika returns to tell us all about how her life has changed over the last 9 months or so!