(Editor's note: Paul Kirsch of Madison attended the International Biathlon World Cup races at Soldier Hollow in Utah as a race volunteer from March 8-10. He had an opportunity to catch up with three-time Olympian Sean Doherty of Center Conway for an interview.)
• Thanks for taking the time to chat, Sean. It was so great to get to see you compete in person again (my first time since 2017). Tell me about the whole experience at Soldier Hollow. So many of your events are in Europe. What it was like to be racing again in the U.S.?
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