March 27, 2008 (Squamish, BC) – USA’s Tim Burke (Paul Smiths, NY) and Canada’s Megan Imire won gold today at the 2008 Squamish Life Canadian Biathlon Championships at Whistler Olympic Park as Imire took the women’s 15km individual competition in 48:58.2 and Burke won the men’s 20-kilometre individual start competition in 52:44.7.

Robin Clegg, who is a nine-year veteran of the Canadian team at 30 years old and a two-time Olympian finished second in 55:02.7 with Brendan Green from Hay River, N.W.T. in third in 57:38.1. Sandra Keith from Calgary posted a time of 49:56 for second place in the women’s race with the USA;s Sara Studebaker in third in 51:30.7.

The 22-year-old Imire had a breakthrough season in her rookie year on the World Cup and became the first Canadian athlete to win a gold medal at Whistler Olympic Park, site of the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games. Burke continued his streak of top performances that began two weeks ago in Oslo despite two penalties, in each of the prone stages in this first-ever major biathlon competition at the Whistler Olympic Park.

“It was fantastic day and my best performance all year,” said Imrie. “I absolutely love the new venue and it suits me perfectly because it is made more for gliders than climbers. I think getting on the venue early will help prepare us for the changing weather and snow conditions.”

Burke was pleased with his first look at the 2010 Olympic Biathlon course today, “I really like the course here. It is pretty technical, which suits my style. I am looking forward to training and racing here in the future,” said Burke. Click here for US Biathlon video of Tim Burke.

The Canadian Biathlon Championships continue on Saturday at Whistler Olympic Park with the sprint competitions. For more information on Biathlon Canada and full results please visit <http://www.biathloncanada.ca>www.biathloncanada.ca.

Results

Women
1. Megan Imrie, Falcon Lake, Man., 48:58.2
2. Sandra Keith, Calgary, 49:56.7
3. Sara Studebaker, USA, 51:30.7
4. Beth Ann Chamberlain, USA, 53:55.0
5. Haley Johnson, USA, 54:16.8

Men
1. Tim Burke, USA, 52:44.7
2. Robin Clegg, Ottawa, 55:02.7
3. Brendan Green, Hay River, N.W.T., 57:38.1
4. Nathan Smith, Calgary, 57:44.7
5. Jeremy Teela, USA, 58:01.1.