March 13, 2008 (Cesana, Ita.) – After hitting the finish line to the 2007-08 season, the future looks bright for Canada’s biathletes competing on the European Cup. Fresh off claiming the nation’s fourth-ever gold medal in the sport in Wednesday’s sprint, Marc-Andre Bedard finished fifth in the men’s 12.5-kilometre pursuit competition, while Megan Tandy stormed into sixth spot in the junior women’s 10-kilometre pursuit event in Cesana, Italy.

Bedard, of Valcartier, Que., took a 26-second lead into Thursday’s pursuit and carried the lead over the first two laps. The 22-year-old shot clean in his first stop at the range, but missed two shots in each of his three subsequent trips, costing him another date with the podium.

“I skied very well again today, but unfortunately had some struggles shooting,” said Bedard, who crossed the lined one minute 34.9 seconds behind the winner. “I have to be happy with the way we finished the season. I knew I was in great shape and could do well. I kept progressing all year so it was nice to peak at the end.”

Russia’s Sergei Rozhkov took home the gold on the 2006 Olympic venue with a time of 36:50.3.

Meanwhile, rising Canadian star Megan Tandy, of Prince George, B.C., continued her stranglehold of a spot in the top-10 against the next generation of the world’s top biathletes. Tandy climbed six spots up the standings to finish sixth – just 2:58.4 behind the leader in the junior women’s 10-kilometre pursuit. Tandy’s teammate, Rosanna Crawford, also continues to inch her way up the standings. Crawford had her strongest result of the season, finishing eighth after stopping the clock 4:12.0 off the leading pace.

Laure Bosc, of France, grabbed the gold after posting a time of 40:17.9.

“I think these results show our team that we can do it on any given day. My teammates know they can beat me in training so it tells us anything is possible,” said Bedard. “We are happy with our results this week. My goal is to get to the Olympics so I’m hoping to get onto the World Cup circuit and show the world what I can do. I’m going to train 150 per cent to reach that goal.”

Other Canadian results included: Megan Imrie, of Falcon Lake, Man., in 20th (+7:06.6) in senior women’s; and Jessica Sedlock, of North Saanich, B.C., was 21st in junior women’s (+12:53.4). Four Canadian men crossed the line on top of each other. Edmontonians, Yannick Letailleur and Jamie Robb finished 23rd and 24th respectively, while Calgary’s Nathan Smith was 25th and Patrick Cote of Grand-Sault, N.B. was 26th.

For complete European Cup results.