Dear U.S. Biathlon Members - 

We’re pleased to share an important update as we continue working toward the goals of our 2030 Strategic Plan and sustained competitive excellence. After careful review and consideration, the U.S. Biathlon Board of Directors has unanimously voted to support in principle the terms outlined in the Strategic Operating Alliance term sheet with U.S. Ski & Snowboard, and move forward on negotiating an operating agreement. Negotiations will be led by a three-person working group appointed by the Board that includes one Board athlete representative, the U.S. Biathlon CEO, and one U.S. Biathlon Board member, supported by U.S. Biathlon staff and legal counsel. 

We are grateful to our members, the broader biathlon community, and the three working groups for their engagement and input into the evaluation process that helped inform the alliance. 

We understand this is a significant change, but believe it provides many opportunities for athletes, community, and the future of the sport. The athlete representatives acknowledge that there is work to do and more definition required to feel confident about U.S. Biathlon’s governance, the financial impact, and ensuring commitment to growing biathlon over the long term. We look forward to continuing our engagement with the community, our volunteers, coaches, clubs, and others during this process.

Over the coming weeks, the Board-appointed working group will be drafting a detailed operating agreement and negotiating terms with U.S. Ski & Snowboard based on priorities defined by the Board, and that will ensure the appropriate governance authority remains with U.S. Biathlon. The agreement will be reviewed by a third party to ensure compliance with the Ted Stevens Act in advance of final approval by the U.S. Biathlon Board of Directors, targeted at the end of August. We will be providing updates to our membership as we go through this process, and posting information on our website as it becomes available.