November 29, 2015 (Ostersund, Sweden) – Canada’s Rosanna Crawford and Nathan Smith teamed up and came from behind to win a stellar silver in the single mixed relay at the season-opener in Ostersund, Sweden on Sunday. Norway’s Lars Helge Birkeland and Kaia Nicolaisen took the win with Germany settling for the bronze as Smith out-sprinted Daniel Boehm in the final 50m for the silver.

“This is a really great way to start the season,” beamed Smith who was part of a single-mixed relay test event in Oslo, Norway two years ago. This is the first time it has been used to open the IBU World Cup season. The women skied a total of six kilometres, while the men each completed 7.5-kilometres.

Canada's Nathan Smith and Rosanna Crawford © Nordic Focus

“There is always uncertainty and extra nerves at this time of year until you get to see how you actually stack up against the competition. The first race after travel can be more painful so the shorter relay formats are the perfect way to warm up for the 20km individual in a few days,” said Smith.

The result is early validation of the 29-year-old Smith’s breakthrough season last year, which saw him win his first World Cup race and become the first Canadian male ever to win a World Championship medal in biathlon when he claimed the silver.

Crawford, 27, was also knocking on the door of her first World Cup podium last year with a fourth and fifth place finish to go along with a handful of top-10s.

“We knew there was lots of potential in this race so it feels good to deliver,” said Crawford. “This race is pretty different from any of our individual events, but it is a good confidence booster to know we are skiing and shooting with some of the best.”

Final Single Mixed Relay podium © Nordic Focus

The USA’s Sean Doherty and Clare Egan shot well using one spare but finished 15th. The Canadians were well back early in the race with Crawford using four spare rounds in her first leg and Smith having to use two of his own, dropping them to eighth spot.

Demonstrating quickness on the skinny skis, with quick, sharp shooting, the Canadian duo rebounded after a slow start thanks to Crawford shooting clean in her final prone and standing, along with Smith cleaning his final prone. Smith then hunted Boehm down in the finishing stretch to claim the sliver in the windy conditions.

Sean Doherty (USA) © Nordic Focus

“We got off to a bit of a bumpy start, using too many spares in the first four shootings but then settled down and took the pressure off. I enjoyed the race format. It is a bit shorter to make things even more exciting,” said Crawford.

“I am one of the faster shooters, which is a great advantage when the ski loops are only 1.5km,” added Smith. “Rosanna is well known to be super strong in short races. I wasn’t surprised in the least at her performance.”

In the Mixed Relay Norway also took the win with Germany second and the Czech Republic third. Team Canada’s Julia Ransom, Zina Koche, Scott Perras and Brendan Green took home a solid 9th while the USA’s Susan Dunklee, Annelies Cook, Leif Nordgren and Lowell Bailey were just behind in 10th.

Mixed Relay final podium (l-r) Germany, Norway, Czech Republic © Nordic Focus

Smith stuck around to watch four of his Canadians teammates suit up for the mixed team relay event. “The team race was also a great result, especially for our rookie Julia,” said Smith. “Both races today were super motivating for our team, and will give us the right momentum for the rest of the week that we hope to carry with us throughout the season.”

Single Mixed Relay results here.
Mixed Relay results here.