November 24, 2007 (Geilo, Norway) – Canada’s Nathan Smith had his best international finish after he fired his way to a 10th-place result in the opening European Cup biathlon sprint event in Geilo, Norway on Saturday.

The 21-year-old Calgarian, who is beginning his second stint with senior Canadian Biathlon Team, maintained pace with the leaders with strong skiing and sharp shooting on the range in a pack of 81 of the world’s top development biathletes. Smith completed the 10-kilometre sprint with a time of 23 minutes 18.7 seconds.

Smith was joined by three other Canadian biathletes who are competing on the World Cup feeder circuit this season. Francois Leboeuf, of Val Belair, Que., was 48th (24:51.0), while Jaime Robb, of Edmonton, finished 55th (25:16.2); and Patrick Coté, of Grand- Sault, N.B., was 60th (25:40.5);

Norway’s Haakon Andersen won the season opener with a time of 22:44.4. Andersen was joined on the podium by Alexei Korobeynikov, of the Ukraine, in second (22:53.3), while Suitzerland’s Simon Hallenbarter, was third after stopping the clock at 22:58.1

The Biathlon European Cup continues on Sunday in Geilo, Norway with another sprint event.

Results (brief)

1. Haakon Andersen (Nor) 22:44.4
2. Alexei Korobeynikov (Ukr) 22:53.3
3. Simon Hallenbarter (Sui) 22:58.1

10. Nathan Smith (Can) 23:18.7
48. Francois Leboeuf (Can) 24:51.0
55. Jaime Robb (Can) 25:16.2
60. Patrick Coté (Can) 25:40.5

For more information on Biathlon Canada visit www.biathloncanada.ca.