Kari Swenson
Encyclopedia
Kari Swenson is an American former biathlete
. In 1984, she was a member of the bronze medal-winning U.S. relay team at the first women's Biathlon World Championships
in Chamonix, France. She placed fifth overall in the women's 10-km final; the best ever for a U.S. biathlete of either sex in 26 years of international biathlon competition at that time.
When Kari was nine, in 1970, the family moved from a suburb of Philadelphia, where her father headed Temple University's physics department, to Bozeman, Montana
.
In July, 1984, Swenson was abducted near Big Sky, Montana
during a training run on her favorite cross-country route. She was held captive for over 18 hours, most of it spent chained to a tree. A search party was organized when she was overdue.
She had been abducted by father and son pair Don and Dan Nichols, two experienced survivalists who had designs to make Swenson the son's bride and start a family in the mountains. A friend of hers, Alan Goldstein, accidentally stumbled onto the Nichols camp and was killed by Don Nichols, and Kari was shot through a lung by Dan Nichols. Spooked by the turn of events, the two Nichols abandoned their camp, leaving Kari chained to a tree. She sat alone with her dead friend for over four hours before being discovered by the posse.
The Nicholses evaded capture until December, 1984. Both men were eventually tried separately in Virginia City by prosecutor Marc Racicot
. In May 1985, Dan Nichols was sentenced to 20 years for kidnapping and misdemeanor assault. In September 1985, Don Nichols was sentenced to 85 years for kidnapping, murder, and aggravated assault and remains in prison. Dan Nichols was released on parole in 1991.
Kari completed physical rehabilitation in time to compete in the world championships, winning a bronze medal, despite having only 80% lung capacity.
A made-for-tv movie (The Abduction of Kari Swenson) was made about the incident, starring Tracy Pollan
. Swenson served as technical adviser and filmed her own ski sequences.
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...
. In 1984, she was a member of the bronze medal-winning U.S. relay team at the first women's Biathlon World Championships
Biathlon World Championships 1984
The 1st women's Biathlon World Championships were held in 1984 in Chamonix, France.-5 km sprint:-10 km individual:-3 x 5 km relay:-Medal table:...
in Chamonix, France. She placed fifth overall in the women's 10-km final; the best ever for a U.S. biathlete of either sex in 26 years of international biathlon competition at that time.
When Kari was nine, in 1970, the family moved from a suburb of Philadelphia, where her father headed Temple University's physics department, to Bozeman, Montana
Bozeman, Montana
Bozeman is a city in and the county seat of Gallatin County, Montana, United States, in the southwestern part of the state. The 2010 census put Bozeman's population at 37,280 making it the fourth largest city in the state. It is the principal city of the Bozeman micropolitan area, which consists...
.
In July, 1984, Swenson was abducted near Big Sky, Montana
Big Sky, Montana
Big Sky is a census-designated place in Gallatin and Madison counties in the southwestern part of the U.S. state of Montana. This unincorporated community straddles the two counties, is not considered a town, and has no town government. The primary industry of the area is tourism.Big Sky is...
during a training run on her favorite cross-country route. She was held captive for over 18 hours, most of it spent chained to a tree. A search party was organized when she was overdue.
She had been abducted by father and son pair Don and Dan Nichols, two experienced survivalists who had designs to make Swenson the son's bride and start a family in the mountains. A friend of hers, Alan Goldstein, accidentally stumbled onto the Nichols camp and was killed by Don Nichols, and Kari was shot through a lung by Dan Nichols. Spooked by the turn of events, the two Nichols abandoned their camp, leaving Kari chained to a tree. She sat alone with her dead friend for over four hours before being discovered by the posse.
The Nicholses evaded capture until December, 1984. Both men were eventually tried separately in Virginia City by prosecutor Marc Racicot
Marc Racicot
Marc F. Racicot is a U.S. politician and lobbyist and member of the Republican Party. He was the governor of Montana from 1993 until 2001. After leaving office, Racicot worked as a lobbyist for the law firm Bracewell & Giuliani. His notable clients included Enron, Burlington Northern Santa Fe,...
. In May 1985, Dan Nichols was sentenced to 20 years for kidnapping and misdemeanor assault. In September 1985, Don Nichols was sentenced to 85 years for kidnapping, murder, and aggravated assault and remains in prison. Dan Nichols was released on parole in 1991.
Kari completed physical rehabilitation in time to compete in the world championships, winning a bronze medal, despite having only 80% lung capacity.
A made-for-tv movie (The Abduction of Kari Swenson) was made about the incident, starring Tracy Pollan
Tracy Pollan
Tracy Jo Pollan is an American actress. She is perhaps best-known for her recurring role as Ellen Reed on the sitcom Family Ties in the mid-1980s. It was on this show that she met future husband Michael J. Fox.-Personal life:...
. Swenson served as technical adviser and filmed her own ski sequences.