March 26, 2011 (Charlo, NB) – Zina Kocher racked up her third gold medal in as many events, while senior team rookie, Scott Gow, claimed his first national senior title by winning the men’s pursuit competition at the Biathlon Canadian Championships in Charlo, N.B. on Saturday.

Kocher, of Red Deer, Alta., continued her domination of the women’s elite field into the pursuit competition. The two-time Olympian, who previously won the individual and sprint events, finished on top with a time of 33 minutes, 58.3 seconds on a windy day which played havoc on the shooting range.

“I’m extremely exhausted but I’m still feeling good and was able to make it all work out today,” said Kocher. “I knew in my first round of shooting how gusty the wind was, but I just said I was gonna go for it.”

It’s the end of a long season for the Kocher, who arrived to New Brunswick on Monday from Europe.

“I really enjoy coming to Nationals because it is always a fun week,” said Kocher. “I think it is really important for the veterans to spend time around the next generation of athletes. We did a Fast and Female event yesterday and it was great to be around the kids.”

Quebec’s Claude Godbout locked up the silver medal with a time of 34:45.7, while 2010 Olympian Megan Imrie, of Falcon Lake. Man., clocked a bronze-medal time of 35:22.8.

While the Olympic veteran continued her golden run in the women’s events, it was a young 20-year-old Calgarian who took down the nation’s best to win the men’s pursuit and claim his first national title.

Scott Gow, who captured the gold medal in each of the four races that he competed in at the Canada Winter Games last month, made up nearly a minute on the leader to win the men’s pursuit. Gow took advantage of fast skis and held on at the range to post a time of 36:09.4.

“It was a really a good for skiing and shooting today,” said Gow, who missed just four shots, which usually doesn’t cut it for a podium finisher, but wind gusts challenged the nation’s best in NewBrunswick. “It was so inconsistent and caused a lot of problems today for us. I’m thrilled to have my first win.”

Gow has had a stellar start to the 2011 season. Since competing for Canada at the World Junior Championships in the Czech Republic in January, Gow returned home and became the first athlete to win gold in all four races at the Canada Winter Games while competing for Alberta.

“This whole season I have felt really good and have really been able to keep my shape and carry it through World Juniors and the Canada Games,” said Gow. “To win today is the perfect way to cap off a great year.”

Quebec’s Marc-Andre Bedard claimed the silver medal with a time of 36:24.6, while Calgary’s Nathan Smith secured the bronze medal with a time of 36:28.9.

The Biathlon Canada Championships wrap up on Sunday with the men’s and women’s relay competitions.

Complete results HERE.