March 15, 2005 – Canada’s Marc-André Bédard kicked off the biathlon junior and youth world championships with a powerful 11th place finish in Kontiolahti, Finland on Monday.

Bédard, of Valcartier, Que., executed an explosive performance on the shooting range hitting 17 of 20 targets to cross the finish line in the youth men’s 12.5 kilometre individual with a time of forty-three minutes 53.1 seconds.

“I had a great shooting performance today as I really took the time to concentrate and shoot well,” said Bédard, who competed against 72 of the best teenage biathletes on the globe. “Since all the falling snow made it difficult to ski, I really paced myself throughout the race and the strategy paid off.”

Bédard, 19, who took home the 2005 overall Canadian title in the youth category, is looking forward to competing in the sprint competition later this week, where he has a strong change of breaking into the top-10.

“My result today gives me a tremendous boost of confidence, especially leading into my stronger events,” said Bedard. “I didn’t expect to finish in the top-15 in the individual competition, but this definitely sets me up for the races to come.”

Russia’s Victor Vasilyev took top honours in the individual event, grabbing the gold medal and world title with a time of 40:23.8, with one shooting error. Mario Drescher of Austria crossed the finish line +38.5 seconds off the leading pace for the silver medal at 41:02.3, with one shooting error, while Norway’s Anders Bratli rounded out the podium for the bronze medal at 41:36.3 and three shooting errors.

Three other Canadian men executed a successful campaign in Monday’s race. Maxime Leboeuf, Val Belair, Que., ended the day in 18th place after crossing the finish line with a time of 44:56.4, and four shooting errors. Brendan Green, of Hay River, N.W.T., slid into 26th spot at 46:14.0, hitting 15 targets, while Edmonton’s Yannick Letailler finished in 36th position, with a time of 47:59.5, hitting 16 of 20 targets.

On the women’s draw, Audrey Attali, Gatineau, Que., was the top Canadian of the day, crossing the finish line in the women’s 10 kilometre individual in 24th place.

The 17-year-old, who is competing in her rookie stint on the international stage, executed a near perfect shooting score, hitting 19 of 20 targets to cross the finish line with a time of 43:45.3.

“This is a great day,” said Attali, who shattered her goal of finishing in the top half of the pack in her opening race. “My shooting was almost perfect and since this is my first time at the world junior championships, I am just so proud.”

Russia took top honours for the second time today, with Svetlana Sleptsova climbing to the top of the podium for the gold medal with at time of 38:25.6, and two shooting errors. Ukraine’s Vita Semerenko finished the race in second place for the silver medal with a time of 39:41.0, hitting 17 of 20 targets, while Marie Dorin of France ended the day in third for the bronze medal at 40:19.0 and two shooting errors. Over 68 athletes competed in the individual race.

Two other athletes skied with the maple leaf in Monday’s race. Megan Imrie of Falcon Lake, Man., crossed the finish line in 35th place with a time of 45:24.2, hitting 16 of 20 targets, while Cynthia Clark, Canmore, Alta., did not finish.

Biathlon’s junior and youth world championships will continue in Kontiolahti, Finland on Tuesday with the junior individual events.

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