March 22, 2015 (Khanty-Mansiysk, Russia) – Canadian Nathan Smith’s storybook season finished with a respectable 17th in the Men’s 15km Mass Start, won by Slovenia’s Jakov Fak who shot clean as the season wrapped up on Sunday at the final World Cup in Khanty-Mansiysk, Russia.

Russia’s Anton Shipulin thrilled the hometown faithful by claiming the silver medal with two missed targets at 10.3s back as he passed Norway’s Tarjei Boe in the final corner before the finish.

Despite finishing 20th today, Martin Fourcade of France won his fourth World Cup Overall title. The USA’s Leif Nordgren was the lone U.S. starter hitting 17 of 20 targets to finish 24th at 2:01 behind.

For Smith a journey that started with a memorable ninth-place finish on December 6 in Oestersund, Sweden, saw his levels of celebrations progress throughout the year as he continued to knock on the door of the World Cup podium. Along the way he posted a number of top-10, and top-five finishes.

He first made history two weeks ago becoming the first Canadian male to win a World Championship medal when he won the silver. He topped that performance off yesterday with a golden breakthrough in the Men’s Pursuit at the final World Cup stop of the season.

Jean-Philippe Le Guellec is the only other Canadian male to reach the World Cup podium. Le Guellec kicked off the 2012-13 season winning a World Cup sprint in Oestersund, Sweden. Two-time Olympic champion, Myriam Bedard, is the only other Canadian to medal at both the Biathlon World Championships and on the World Cup.

Smith along with Canadian teammates Brendan Green and Rosanna Crawford have all celebrated career-best top-five finishes this year. Megan Heinicke has also rattled of a number of personal bests during the post-Olympic year.

“We have four athletes that are very close to the podium. Our funding partners look at World Championships for funding,” said Smith. “Our program now has depth and biathletes from around the world are really excited for Canada. I think that is kind of cool!”

Smith was the top North American overall in 16th followed by Lowell Bailey (USA) in 30th, Brendan Green (CAN) 32nd, Tim Burke (USA) 34th, Leif Nordgren (USA) 40th and Scott Gow (CAN) in 79th.

Full results here.
Final overall here.