December 04, 2018 (Pokljuka, Slovenia) – Canada’s Megan Bankes and Christian Gow raced to a strong 6th-place finish using 10 spare rounds at the season-opening Single Mixed Relay as 25 teams were on the start line on Sunday at Pokljuka, Slovenia for the kick off of the 2018-19 BMW IBU World Cup season.

The Norwegian duo of Thekla Brun-Lie and Lars Helge Birkeland took the win using only four spare rounds while Austria finished second with five spares at 8.5 seconds back. The Ukraine finished with the best shooting using only one spare round to claim third at 20.7 seconds behind.

Fourth went to France at 30.3 seconds back with Sweden in fifth at 35.5 seconds behind followed by Canada in sixth at 37.8 seconds back. The USA’s Joanne Reid and Max Durtschi were lapped and placed 25th. Durtschi was a last-minute substitution for Paul Schommer who became ill overnight.

The Ukraine established an early lead but France took over as Norway and Austria kept the pressure on. Behind Canada remained in contention battling with Sweden and Russia. The final standing on the range saw Norway’s Birkeland shoot fast and clean for the victory over Austria’s Simon Eder with the Ukraine settling for third as Canada claimed 6th behind Sweden while holding off Russia in seventh.

Results here.