February 2, 2008 (Vuokatti, Finland) – Canada’s Robbi Weldon captured her first ever World Cup biathlon medal at the IPC World Cup in Vuokatti, Finland on Saturday. The 32-year-old from Thunder Bay, Ont., who competes in the visually impaired category, teamed up with her guide Brian Berry to post a time of 51 minutes 53.4 seconds in the 12.5-kilometre distance race. Weldon, who has regularly competed in the cross-country skiing discipline, was introduced to biathlon last season.

“It was a really good day today and I’m excited to have won my first medal in biathlon,” said Weldon following the race, who missed just two of 20 shots on the range. “My skis were really fast today, and I have been working hard on my shooting and it came together today.”

An active participant in all sports, Weldon first started out on downhill skis at the age of three. After many years of alpine racing and then ski instructing, she decided to take on a new challenge in 2002 with Nordic skiing. At the age of 15, Weldon was diagnosed with Stargardt’s Disease (genetic form of Macular Degeneration) affecting central vision. In college, she was introduced to two sports for the Blind: Goalball and Powerlifting, and went on to set national and world records in the squat, bench press and deadlift in 1995-96, but her passion is in the Nordic sports.

Verenae Bentele and Sebastian Stein teamed up to win the gold medal for Germany with a time of 51:30.2.

Three other Canadians also suited up on Saturday. In the sit-ski category, Colette Bougonje, of Saskatoon, finished fourth. Lou Gibson, of Langley, B.C., finished 19th. Mark Arendze, of Springton, P.E.I., finished eighth in the men’s amputation and limb disability category.

For complete results visit www.vuokattisport.fi