March 23, 2011 (Charlo, NB) – Zina Kocher proved she is still the woman to beat in Canada, while Scott Perras continued his season-ending hotstreak to win the national crowns in the women’s and men’s individual biathlon events at the Canadian Championships in Charlo, N.B. on Wednesday.

Kocher, of Red Deer, Alta., handily won the women’s 15-kilometre individual event despite missing five shots on the range. The two-time Olympian, and World Cup bronze medallist, posted a golden time of 46:38.5.

Melanie Schultz, who now resides in Canmore, Alta., was the next best finisher at 51:41.6 Quebec’s Claude Godbout rounded out the women’s podium with a time of 51:27.8.

The individual event puts an emphasis on shooting as athletes are penalized oneminute for every shot missed on the range.

Regina’s Scott Perras arrived from Europe last night in time for the opening day of competition. Suffering from jet lag, his skis in the ties and rifle in its case, Perras woke up early for some last minute preparation before posting a winning time of 1:01:33.1 in the men’s 20-kilometre individual race and his second national title.

“This was not the original plan, but a snow storm in Montreal prevented me from having a training day,” said Perras, whose first true taste of biathlon came at the 2003 Canada Winter Games where he won a bronze medal in the individual.

“It was tough going today. I knew my legs wouldn’t cooperate and I felt it right away. I grinded through the entire 20,000 metres today. Luckily I was able to force some good shooting on the range. I shot slow and deliberately and it paid off.”

Matt Neumann captured British Columbia’s first medal of the week by winning the silver after clocking-in at 1:01:50.2. Calgary’s Scott Gow, who swept the golden step of the podium at the Canada Winter Games in Halifax last month,finished third at 1:01:54.1.

Quebec’s Yolaine Oddou won the junior women’s 12.5-kilometre individual competition with a time of 49:44.4, while Calgary’s Aaron Gillmor took the gold in the junior men’s 15-kilometre event.

The Canadian Championships continue on Thursday in Charlo, N.B.

Complete results HERE.