December 17, 2014 (Canmore, AB) – Biathlon Canada will send an experienced lineup of athletes from across the country to the 2015 Youth and Junior World Championships in Minsk-Raubichi, Belarus following a recent selection race.

The governing body for the sport will send four men and two women for junior races, and one men and one women for both the youth races.

A veteran group of junior men making a return trip to the international dance include: Stuart Harden (Alberta), Matthew Strum (Alberta), Aidan Millar (Alberta), and Carsen Campbell (Prince Edward Island). The women’s squad includes Sarah Beaudry (British Columbia), who won a bronze medal in the junior pursuit last year. Beaudry will be joined by Leilani Tam Von Burg (Ontario).

Two athletes will make up Canada’s youth contingent this year. Pearce Hanna (Alberta) will be Canada’s sole male, while Bryn Robertson (Alberta) will race for the women.

“Biathon Canada’s three day selection process provided an incredibly competitive pool of athletes in contention for a spot to be named to these teams,” said Chris Lindsay, high-performance director. “This group of athletes represents the best young biathletes in the country. I know Canada will be well respresented in Belarus.”

Athletes earned a spot on the team following selection races held in Canmore, Alta. in early December.

“Many provinces combined their own Canada Winter Games selections with our Youth and Junior World Championship selection races which helped to increase the number of athletes in the selection process making for an extraordinarily diverse field,” added Lindsay. “The number of athletes involved is a best-ever for Biathlon Canada, and a clear indications that clubs across the country are producing stronger athletes. It is these development programs that are core to future success for our sport at the elite level.”

For complete results from the selection process, please visit www.biathloncanada.ca.