December 10, 2006 – Canada’s Megan Imrie led the Canuck charge through heavy snow and a difficult track to a 14th place finish in the Europa Cup women’s sprint event.

Imrie, a native of Falcon Lake, Manitoba, moved to Canmore just over a year ago to train at the newly upgraded Canmore Nordic Centre.

“I decided to use the conditions to my advantage today,” said Imrie. “I was confident that the training I did in the off-season was going to help me handle the challenging conditions.

Shooting eight out of 10 on the range, the 20-year-old Junior National Team member skied a strong race, coming in just one minute 16.5 seconds behind leader Jenny Alder of Germany, who crossed the line in 23:06.3.

“I shot really well on the range and I am sitting in a great position, just over a minute behind the leader, going into the pursuit.”

Other Canadians in the women’s race included Claude Godbout of Quebec, who finished 38th +3.21.2 behind the leader. Winnipeg’s Cynthia Clark was 48th (+3:59.5), and Audrey Attali rounded out the Canadian women’s squad in 62nd, just over five minutes behind Alder.

On the men’s side, it was a complete German sweep of the top five positions. Simon Schempp has the lead over teammate Christoph Stephan by just over 10 seconds, completing the narrow course in 27:29.2.

Two Canadians found their way into the top-30. Maxime Leboeuf, of Val Belair, Que. was top Canuck in 27th stopping the clock +2:35.2 behind Schempp. Fellow Quebecor, Marc-Andre Bedard was 30th(+2:42.5). Just missing the top-30, Brendan Green of Hay River, NT. was 32nd only seven seconds behind his teammate Bedard.

Other Canadian results included: Yannick Letallier of Edmonton, Alta. in 50th (+3:28.1); Dave Zurevinski in 61st (+4:08.0); and Tyson Smith of Calgary, Alta. In 97th (5:58.5)

The Canadian squad will be on the hunt to move up in the standings during the pursuit race on Sunday.

Biathlon Canada, the governing body for biathlon in the country, oversees the Canadian Championships, Eastern and Western Canadian Championships, and North American Cups held in Canada. The organization’s mandate is to provide national level programs for the continuous development of biathlon athletes from the grassroots to the elite level. For more information on Biathlon Canada, please visit their Web site at www.biathloncanada.ca on the Internet.

Women’s Sprints Results:

1. Jenny Alder, GER, 23:06.3; 2. Ute Niziak, GER, +6.0; 3. Elena Khrustaleva, KAZ, +8.6; 4. Oksana Neupokoeva, RUS, +11.3; 5. Anne Ingstadbjoerg, NOR, +26.8



Canadian Results:

14. Megan Imrie, Falcon Lake, MB. +1:16.5; 38. Claude Godbout, Quebec, +3:21.2; 48. Cynthia Clark, Winnipeg, MB. +3:59.5; 62. Audrey Attali, Canada, +5:13.7



Men’s Sprint Results:

1. Simon Schempp, GER, 27:29.2; 2. Christoph Stephan, GER, +13.6; 3. Nick Langer, GER, +21.1; 4. Benjamin Hirt, GER, +23.1; 5. Sebastian Berthod, GER, +28.1



Canadian Results:

27. Maxime Leboeuf, Val Belair, QC. +2:35.2; 30. Marc-Andre Bedard, Quebec, +2:42.5; 32. Brendan Green, Hay River, NT. +2:49.0; 50. Yannick Letailleur, Edmonton, Alta. +3:28.1; 61. Dave Zurevinski, Canada, +4:08.0; 97. Tyson Smith, Calgary, Alta. +5:58.5