January 12, 2013 (Ruhpolding, GER) – Canada’s Scott Perras put down the performance of his life finishing 10th in the World Cup Sprint competition on Saturday in Ruhpolding, Germany. The 29-year-old shot clean in his two trips to the range to clock a time of 24:40.5 in the 10km event, 49 seconds behind the winner, Martin Fourcade of France.

Scott Perras (CAN) © Manzoni/NordicFocus

Fourcade also shot clean clocking a time of 23:51.5. Russia’s Even Ustyugov delivered clean shooting as well and was second with a time of 24:07.9, while teammate Andrei Makoveev placed 3rd with a time of 24:24.5 and no penalties.

Perras’ previous career-best result was 25th earlier this year in the Hochfilzen Sprint.  “I’ve been close this year, but have never quite put it together,” said Perras. “I worked hard on my shooting over the Christmas holidays. I knew I could do it. I just needed to get out there and get it done. It feels great to do that today.”

The Canadian battled through heavy snow that dumped on the Ruhpolding course to bounce back after one of the most disappointing performances of his career in Thursday’s relay. “The biggest challenge today was to come back and prove to myself that I can still shoot – especially in standing,” Perras continued.

Final Sprint podium in Ruhpolding (l-r) Ustyugov 2nd, Fourcade 1st, Makoveev 3rd. © Nordic Focus file photo

“Getting into the top-10 feels good. I am most happy to get my first chance to race in a mass start tomorrow, but it feels good to have people who I look up too on the circuit come over and congratulate me. It kind of tells me I’ve done something good today.”

The top American of the day was Lowell Bailey who cleaned both stages at the range to take 26th posting a time of 24:59.5 at 1:08 behind of winner Fourcade.

Canada’s Scott Gow also had his career-best finish on the World Cup, with a 29th place shooting clean and posting a time of 25:03.8.  “My expectations were to ski a good race, not rush the shooting, and try to be on pace with the field as much as possible,” said Gow. “I definitely feel like I accomplished that, and am very happy with my overall performance.”

Fellow Canadian Jean-Philippe Le Guellec finished in 41st while Americans Jay Hakkinen, Russell Currier, and Leif Nordgren finished 54th, 80th, 86th respectively. World Cup racing wraps up in Ruhpolding on Sunday with the men’s and women’s Mass Start competitions.

Full results here.