March 24, 2007 (Charlo, New Brunswick) – After taking gold in the individual races, Thursday, Sandra Keith and Jean-Philippe Leguellec kept the streak going, taking gold again in Saturday’s sprint races at the 2007 Canadian Championships in Charlo, New Brunswick.

Keith, a native of Calgary, won handily in the senior women’s category, posting one shooting error and completing the 7.5-kilometre race in 24 minutes 13.7 seconds. Runner-up for the second race in a row, Sonya Erasmus of Vanderhoof, B.C., crossed the line 30.6 seconds behind Keith for the silver medal. Recently returning from the last World Cup race of the season in Russia, Red Deer native Zina Kocher shook off three shooting errors to take the bronze medal, stopping the clock 38.2 seconds behind the new national champion.

“It’s always challenging to race at the end of the season,” said Keith. “I managed to fight off the spring fever, focus in on the race and came out with the win. I’m usually stronger in the longer distance races. It’s been nearly five years since my last sprint win at nationals, so I am really happy with the way I skied today.”

After a day of freezing rain and less than ideal conditions Thursday, competitors were treated to a beautiful day of racing, complete with sun and blue skies.

Jean-Philippe Leguellec of Valcartier, Que., enjoyed the taste of victory so much he decided to add a second national title to his record. Leguellec was in a league of his own, crossing the line in 27:19.3, +1:17.5 ahead of Edmonton’s Jaime Robb. Settling into the bronze medal position, David Leoni of Camrose Alta., took third-place for the second race in a row, +1:21.3 behind Leguellec.

In junior women’s action, Megan Imrie of Falcon Lake, Man., successfully defended her 2006 sprint title, taking her second gold in as many races. Maxime Leboeuf of Val Bélair, Que., made his way to the top of the junior men’s podium, defeating Thursday’s winner, Brendan Green of Whitehorse, N.W.T., by a margin of 37.1 seconds.

Sunday’s pursuit race will mark the conclusion of the 2007 Canadian Biathlon Championships.

Senior Women
1. Sandra Keith, Calgary, 24:13.7
2. Sonya Erasmus, Vanderhoof, B.C., +30.6
3. Zina Kocher, Red Deer, Alta., +38.2

Senior Men
1. Jean-Philippe Leguellec of Valcartier, Que., 27:19.3
2. Jaime Robb, Edmonton, +1:17.5
3. David Leoni, Camrose, Alta., +1:21.3

Junior Men
1. Maxime Leboeuf of Val Bélair, Que., 28 :31.9
2. Brendan Green, Whitehorse, Yukon, +37.1
3. Marc-André Bédard, Valcartier, Que., +51.5

Junior Women
1. Megan Imrie, Falcon Lake, Man., 45:18.0
2. Claude Godbout, Quebec, +48.7
3. Cindy Clark, Winnipeg, +1:17.1

Youth Men
1. Kurtis Wenzel, Calgary, 24:00.3
2. Stuart Logde, Calgary, +35.5
3. Scott Gow, Calgary, +1:03.4

Youth Women
1. Megan Tandy, Prince George, B.C., 21:55.3
2. Sarah Murphy, Canmore, Alta., +30.7
3. Rosanna Crawford, Canmore, Alta., +1:01.3

Senior boys
1. Guillaume Carrier, Quebec, 19:14.2
2. Vincent Blais, Quebec, +22.2
3. Marc Brosseau, +50.9

Senior girls
1. Audrey Vaillancourt, Quebec, 21:12.7
2. Yolaine Oddou, Quebec, +54.1
3. Rose-Marie Cote, Quebec, +1:07.8