March 06, 2015 (Canmore, AB) – Fresh off an eighth place finish at the junior world championships, Canada’s Aidan Millar from Canmore was the fastest North American in the men’s 10km Sprint at IBU Cup 8 in Canmore, finishing 32nd against a deep field on his home course. Patrick Johnson was the top US competitor in 41st.

Aidan MIllar © Pam Doyle

Battling soft snow and unseasonably warm temperatures topping 12 degrees C, Millar, shot 8/10 to beat his fellow countrymen Macx Davies who shot 6/10 at only the second IBU Cup start of his career. The Canadians appeared to struggle with their ski speed, but Millar said he wasn’t concerned about his result, just the experience.

“Ever since world juniors were here in 2009, I’ve always dreamed of racing internationally at home, so it was an amazing experience,” Millar said.

Millar, 19, grew up on the shores of Lake O’Hara, where his parents ran Lake O’Hara Lodge. Growing up at 2,000m elevation did wonders for his cardiovascular system, he says, and he needed his lungs to push through the mushy snow. Thankfully, he had a boisterous group of friends and family to cheer him along. Millar trains in Canmore with the Biathlon Alberta Training Centre, so a home course advantage was also in play.

Men's podium © Pam Doyle

“It was pretty sloppy. Some parts had lots of water underneath, so it was slow. But for the most part it held up pretty good,” Millar said.

Christop Stephan of Germany won the race, shooting clean to finish in 25:52.1. David Komatz of Austria and Norway’s Vegard Gjermundshauf tied for second in 26:30.1.

Other Canadian finishers included Marc-Andre Bedard (35th), Scott Perras (39th), Matt Neumann (42nd) and Carsen Campbell (45th).

IBU Cup 8 concludes Saturday with the mixed relay. The race starts at 10 a.m. Zina Kocher, Emma Lunder, Bedard and Davies will represent Canada.

Full results here.