My Story
Chasing big dreams on the snow and at the range
How It All Started
01 Who am I ?
Hi! My name is Storm Kuzey Yildirim, and I’m from Norway. In the winter I’m usually on skis, and in the summer I’m on roller skis. But I’m not just a skier. I’m also a biathlete. When I’m not training or trying to keep up with schoolwork, I’m playing the piano or hanging out with friends.
Biathlon is such a cool sport. I wish more people would try the challenge of hitting five tiny targets 50 meters away while holding your breath, lying in an awkward position in the snow, and pretending to enjoy the race while your lungs are on fire. It’s really fun, especially with friends.
02 The rifle glow up
Everything changed when I switched from my old Izhmash to a new Anschütz rifle. Even though it was a better rifle, it still wasn’t quite right for me. It needed a glow-up to look a bit more awesome, and it was also way too big for my small hands and body.
My dad and I decided to fix it ourselves. We spent days sketching ideas and went through several cans of spray paint to create a unique look that really pops against the snow. We even carved a wooden extension so I could reach the charging arm more easily. It was an improvement, but it was hard to get a good grip on it.
That’s when I started thinking about 3D printing. Learning the 3D modelling software was a steep learning curve, but I eventually figured out how to design my own custom parts that fit me perfectly. And you can probably guess where I got the inspiration for the rifle’s colors...
03 Obsessed with 3D printing
When we first unboxed the 3D printer, I could barely contain my excitement. My parents taught me the basics, and we started simple by printing small figures. I was amazed by what 3D printing could do, and by what it could offer biathlon. From that moment on, the ideas just kept coming.
Once I got the hang of 3D modelling, I started redesigning the parts my parents had built by hand to fit my rifle to my body. Taking ownership of that process felt like a turning point. Today I’ve created more than 20 custom designs, each one made to help young athletes of all ages and sizes adapt their equipment to their bodies.
04 Creating ShootIn App
I kept thinking about how I could make biathlon even better for everyone. During zeroing before races, I noticed that coaches were always carrying magnetic boards around, or sometimes forgot them altogether. It was hard for them to show us exactly where we were hitting, and even harder to keep track of the results. I even saw some coaches trying to draw on their phone screens, which looked pretty awkward.
That’s when I came up with the idea for the ShootIn app: one simple, great-looking app that brings it all together. Now all you have to do is enter the athlete’s name and lane, mark the shots, note the wind direction, and take a quick screenshot. Done.
I’ve put a lot of time into getting it just right for other young athletes and coaches. It’s been a big project, but I’m really proud of how it helps us focus on the sport we love.
05 My next big goals
I don’t know exactly what path I’ll take yet, and honestly, I think that’s part of the excitement. What I do know is that I love biathlon and skiing, and I have no plans to stop. Whatever I end up doing, curiosity and drive will be at the heart of it.
I’ll keep designing, keep building, and keep looking for problems worth solving. True North Biathlon and the ShootIn App are just the beginning.
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