February 21, 2012 (Kontiolahti, FIN) – Biathlete Kurtis Wenzel skied into the history books as the first-ever Canadian to be crowned World Champion at the Biathlon Junior World Championships in Kontiolahti, Finland on Tuesday.

The Calgarian missed just one shot in his four rounds of shooting to set the time to beat at 44:09.2 on an extremely difficult day in the junior men’s 15-kilometre individual competition.  Wind gusts played havoc during the shooting as a great deal of mental strength and concentration was required to shoot well today.

“This is very special for me,” said Wenzel. “I was pretty anxious before the race, but I did a good job of staying relaxed and calm today. The whole team did a great job and I’m really happy.”

Wenzel was joined on the podium by Norway’s Marius Hol in second at 44:52.0 (0+0+0+2), and Russia’s Alexandr Loginov, who clocked a bronze-medal time of 45:07.2 (1+1+1+0).

“I didn’t know where I could be today, but I knew I was in good form coming into the race,” added Wenzel. “I was shooting clean in training and I was skiing well.”

“Kurtis looked very much in control all week,” added Richard Boruta, coach, Biathlon Canada. “From taking care of his training to nutrition needs to recovery, he executed perfectly.”

At just 21 years old, Wenzel is no stranger to the international winner’s circle. A two-year member of Canada’s national junior biathlon squad, Wenzel won a gold and bronze medal at the 2009 Youth World Championships on his home track in Canmore, Alberta.  But it has been anything but an easy road for the sharp-shooting Canuck. Wenzel took last year off from competing in biathlon after being diagnosed with Graves Disease – disorder that leads to over activity of the thyroid gland, which had an affect on his shooting. After support from family, friends and his entire ski club at Rocky Mountain Racers, Wenzel proved to himself and the world he is now back.

“I had lots of doubts after the 2010 World Championships,” said Wenzel. “I didn’t know if it was mental or physical. It is nice to be back and this is a special day.”

Two-time Olympian, Jean-Philippe Le Guellec was the last Canadian to win a Junior World Championship medal in an event that was not a relay. Le Guellec captured the bronze in the sprint competition in 2006. Canada’s junior athletes won a bronze in the men’s relay in both 2005 and 2007.

Six other North American men hit the start line. Canada’s Aaron Gillmor finished 19th with Casey Smith (USA) in 31st place.  USA’s Eathan Dreissigacher was 53rd while Cnaada’s Macx Davies placed 72nd. Raileigh Goessling (USA) finished 74th and Jasper Mackenzie finished up in 75th place.

Results (brief)

1. Kurtis Wenzel (Can) 44:09.2
2. Marius Hol (Nor) 42.8
3. Alexandr Loginov (Rus) 58
4. Anton Pantov (Kaz) 01:44.7
5. David Komatz (Aut) 01:45.9
19. Aaron Gillmor (Can) 04:43.7
31. Casey Smith (USA) 06:37.2
53. Eathan Dreissigacher (USA) 08:57.5
72. Macx Davies (Can) 12:50.1
74. Raileigh Goessling (USA) 12:59.8
75. Jasper Mackenzie (Can) 13:18.7

With files from Biathlon Canada