Central New Yorker Gunning For Olympic Gold

Here we are on the verge of another Olympics. Everyone in Central New York is well aware of Remsen's Erin Hamlin, who's seeking her first gold medal in the luge.

But there's another Adirondacks star who'll be literally gunning for gold in the 2018 Winter Games. Old Forge's Maddie Phaneuf (pronounced FAN-uff) combines her shooting skills with the rigors of cross country skiing in the Biathlon competition.

She learned to ski at age eight when her family moved to Old Forge from Virginia, but she never fired a rifle until she was 15. Ever since, the two have been inseparable. She's one of a very select five members of the 2018 U.S. Olympic Women's Biathlon Team.

Phaneuf, now 22, lives and learns at Lake Placid's Olympic training facility. And, when she's not hard at work refining her Biathlon skills, she enjoys rock climbing and exploring the great outdoors in the Adirondacks.

The 2018 Winter Games begin Friday, February 9th, in Pyeongchang. When we're watching the Opening Ceremonies Friday morning on NBC beginning at 6:00 am, it will be 8:00 pm in South Korea. The Biathlon competition begins Saturday.

We'll have thrice-daily Olympic updates on Lite 98.7.

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