Posted 15. March 2005 by Editor

This report below is from biathlon Canada. The winner in the men?s class, Emil Svendsen, has skied well cross-country in Norway this season and is also a part of the Norwegian cross-country team that will ski the junior worlds next week.

CANADA'S JEAN-PHILIPPE LEGUELLEC SEARCHES FOR PODIUM FINISH WITH TOP 6 RESULT
-Canada's C?t? slides into 11th at rookie race-
Kontiolahti, FIN-Canada's Jean-Philippe LeGuellec jump-started his junior world championship campaign with a sixth place finish in Kontiolahti, Finland on Tuesday.
The 2004 overall youth world champion entered the junior men's 15-kilometre individual in fine form, crossing the finish just over three minutes off the leading pace with a time of forty-seven minutes 02.3 seconds, hitting 17 of 20 targets.
"I felt in tremendous shape today, I really couldn't have asked for much better," said LeGuellec, of Shannon, Que. "In the individual event you really have to pace yourself, so I just stuck to my race plan, which was to ski efficiently and shoot well and I did much better than I could have anticipated."

Joining LeGuellec in the top of the pack, loaded with 82 of the world's best 19 and 20 year old biathletes, was teammate Patrick C?t?, Grand Falls, N.B. C?t? kicked-off his first international event in 11th place after executing a near perfect shooting score. C?t? hit 18 of 20 targets to finish the day with a time of 48:07.6.
"I have to say I'm quite surprised and ecstatic about my result," said 19-year-old C?t?. "I hope to have more performances like today and I am extremely excited about the rest of the week."
Two other biathletes rounded out the Canadian assault. Jaime Robb, Edmonton, crossed the finish line in 24th place with a time of 49:56.8, hitting 16 of 20 targets, while Calgary's Nathan Smith clocked in at 50:51.7 with five shooting errors to finish in 39th spot.
Norway's Emil Svendsen clocked the fastest time in the men's individual event, taking home the gold medal after crossing the finish line at 43:54.7, with one shooting error. Ondrej Moravec from the Czech Republic followed in second to grab the silver medal at 44:40.9, with two shooting errors, while Russia's Igor Minchenkov rounded out third for the bronze medal at 45:20.8, and one error.
Canmore, Alta., native Nicole Pacas was the top Canadian in the women's 12.5 kilometre individual. The 19-year-old completed her first-ever race at a world junior championships in 35th place, crossing the finish line with a time of 53:48.6, hitting 16 of 20 targets.
"This is definitely a good starting point," said Pacas. "With my first race down, I'm in the racing grove and I know I have a lot more potential to see further success this week."
Germany's Anne Preussler claimed the gold medal in Tuesday's race after handedly capturing the top spot with a time of 45:11.7, with two shooting errors. Maria Kossinova of Russia, slid into second over a minute behind Preussler to take the silver medal at 46:15.5, and three shooting errors, while Finland's Mervi Markkanen grabbed the bronze medal with a time of 46:20.2, and one shooting error. There were 52 competitors in Tuesday's race.
Sonya Erasmus, of Vanderhoof, B.C., was the next best Canadian in the women's event. Erasmus, 20, finished in 44th place with a time of 55:40.7, hitting 13 of 20 targets. Joanie Hach?, of Stoke, Que., crossed the finish line in 45th spot with a time of 55:43.1, hitting 15 targets, while Lindsey Bolivar, Yellowknife, N.W.T., rounded out the Canadian skis in 51st position at 1:01:15.4, and 11 shooting errors.
Biathlon's junior and youth world championships will continue in Kontiolahti, Finland on Wednesday with the youth sprint events.

FOR COMPLETE RESULTS: http://www.biathlonworld.com/eng/news/default.htm

Top-Seven Junior Men's Results (15 kilometre individual):

1. Emil Svendsen, NOR, 43:54.7; 2. Ondrej Moravec, CZE, 44:40.9; 3. Igor Minchenkov, RUS, 45:20.8; 4. Sergey Danilenko, RUS, 45:26.6; 5. Claudio B?ckli, SUI, 46:37.8; 6. Jean-Philippe LeGuellec, Shannon, Que., CAN, 47:02.3; 7. Vincent Porret, FRA, 47:17.8

Other Canadian Results (15 kilometre individual):

11. Patrick C?t?, Grand Falls, N.B., 48:07.6; 24. Jaime Robb, Edmonton, 49:56.8; 39. Nathan Smith, Calgary, 50:51.7.

Top-Five Junior Women's Results (12.5 kilometre individual):

1. Anne Preussler, GER, 45:11.7; 2. Maria Kossinova, RUS, 46:15.5; 3. Mervi Markkanen, FIN, 46:20.2; 4. Magdalena Neuner, GER, 46:32.6; 5. Anastasia Shipulina, RUS, 47:26.1

Canadian Results (12.5 kilometre individual):

35. Nicole Pacas, Canmore, Alta., 53:48.6; 44. Sonya Erasmus, Vanderhoof, B.C., 55:40.7; 45. Joanie Hach?, Stoke, Que., 55:43.1; 51. Lindsey Bolivar, Yellowknife, N.W.T., 1:01.15.4.