February 24, 2012 (Kontiolahti, FIN) – Julia Ransom came up just shy in her quest for the first podium finish of her career at the Youth World Championships, finishing 5th in the women’s sprint competition in Kontiolahti, Finland on Friday.  Ransom finished only 4.5 seconds behind the podium positions.

The 19-year-old Ransom, of Kelowna, B.C., had a perfect day on the range in her two rounds of shooting en route to clocking a time of 19:45.9 in the women’s six-kilometre sprint event.

“Julia’s main goal was to create a good start position for the pursuit competition which is her best competition,” said Canadian Biathlon Team coach Richard Boruta. “She stated focused during the race and posted a strong finishing loop.”

Norway’s Hilde Fenne won the gold metal with Niya Dimitrova of Bulgaria finishing in the silver metal position.  Rounding out the podium was Austria’s Lisa Hauser nabbing the bronze.

Seven other North American women hit the start line and it was American Tara Geraghty-Moats finishing in 18th place with Canadian Sarah Beaudry finishing in 26th.  Canada’s Marie-Rose Cote ws 50th with Americans Mikaela Paluszek, Anna Kubek, & Melissa Manning finishing in 65th, 67th, & 71st place respectively.  Closing out the North American field was Canadian Erin Oliver-Beebe in 74th place.

For the North American men, USA’s Sean Doherty was the top finisher in 13th place, while Canadian Stuart Harden finished in 25th position in the 7.5 km sprint event.  Christian Gow of Canada was 26th and Americans Samuel Dougherty & Nicholas Proell finished 35th and 40th respectively.  Canadians Albert Bouchard and Carsen Campbell were 48th & 78th, while the USA’s Jacob Prince ended the day in 80th place.

The IBU Biathlon Junior World Championship competitions continues in Kontiolahti on Saturday with the Junior Women and Men’s sprint.

Women’s results HERE.
Men’s results HERE.