Relay team's fifth spot shoots up confidence for Canadian biathletes ahead of Olympics

CANMORE – Canada’s biathletes got the shot of confidence they were looking for in the last world cup before the Olympics.

In the men’s 4x7.5 km relay, Canada’s Scott Gow, Christian Gow, Adam Runnalls and Jules Burnotte flirted with a podium spot when they shot and skied to a season’s best fifth at Antholz-Anterselva, Italy on Sunday (Jan. 23).

“Our strategy this past month was to be gaining momentum in the final weeks before the Games to make sure we peak at the right time,” said Scott Gow. “This result helps prove we are on the right track and is a big confidence boost.”

He added it’s a really good indicator of the team’s shape and conditioning before the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympic Games from Feb. 4-20.

 

 

 

 

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Norway, Russia and Germany were one, two, three on the podium.

It was the Canadian men's best relay result since winning bronze in 2016 at the world championships.

A world cup podium was within reach for the Canucks as well, finishing 27 seconds behind the third place Germans.

Christian Gow, who’s been shooting lights out this season, was once again big on the range, shooting clean on the day.

“I was totally in the zone and I am really proud of the performance I produced,” he said. “I'm also super proud of the team for coming together and producing one of Canada's best Relay results. We all did our part and showed that we can be a threat at the top of the field.”

In the women’s relay, the Canadians finished 12th.

The huge relay results are on the heels of Biathlon Canada’s Olympic team announcement on Jan. 19. Getting the nod is a mix of Olympic veterans and newcomers making up the eight-person team.

Emma Lunder, Sarah Beaudry, Emily Dickson and Megan Bankes are the Canadian women competing next month at the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympic Games.

For men, Scott Gow, Christian Gow, Jules Burnotte and Adam Runnalls have gotten the call of duty for Team Canada.

“To actually see the official announcement and everything like that it starts to make it a lot more real,” said Christian Gow. “Yes, it's always been in your mind. It's something you know is coming, it's something you know you're working towards, for sure. It's really cool. I'm really thankful to be in a position to be going again and I'm really excited to be there at the Olympics a second time and I'm excited for the team and to see what we can do.”

For Dickson, Bankes, Burnotte and Runnalls, it’s the first time the Canucks will represent the country at an Olympic event. And for a second consecutive Games, the Gow brothers, Lunder and Beaudry will wear the Maple Leaf.

Benita Peiffer and Trevor Kiers were named the team’s alternates.

The Beijing Games are from Feb. 4-20.

Here is biathlon's Beijing schedule, MST:

Feb. 5: mixed relay – 2 a.m.

Feb. 7: women’s individual – 2 a.m.

Feb. 8: men’s individual – 1:30 a.m.

Feb. 11: women’s sprint – 2 a.m.

Feb. 12: men’s sprint – 2 a.m.

Feb. 13: women’s pursuit – 2 a.m.

Feb. 13: men’s pursuit – 3:45 a.m.

Feb. 15: men’s relay – 2 a.m.

Feb. 16: women’s relay – 12:45 a.m.

Feb. 18: men’s mass start – 2 a.m.

Feb. 19: women’s mass start – 2 a.m.