January 11, 2017 (Ruhpolding, Germany) – Canada finished 11th while the USA was 12th in the men’s 4×7.5km relay at round five of the BMW IBU World Cup in Ruhpolding, Germany as Norway bested Russia at 5.1 seconds back while the home team, Germany, grabbed the last spot on the podium at 17.9 seconds behind. It was the Norwegians third consecutive relay victory at the fabled venue.

The Canadian team of Christian and Scott Gow, Macx Davies and Brendan Green were hovering between 11th and 14th through the opening three legs before two-time Olympian, Green, brought the Canucks back into 11th place where they finished at 2:04.4 behind, just ahead of the Americans in 12th, after using seven spare rounds.

“It was a decent result for the team today, but we were definitely hoping for more,” said Green. “As a whole, we were consistent and steady with some definite strong points, but to get the result we all want will require a really solid day of shooting and skiing for each of us.

The U.S. team of Lowell Bailey, Tim Burke, Leif Nordgren and Sean Doherty were as high as 4th but fell back as they battled with Canada at the finish placing 12th with one penalty and seven spares at 2:04.6 seconds back.

“I spent a lot of time on shooting over the break and I’m happy that I was able to execute in the range today what I worked on at home,” said Bailey who shot clean on the first leg to put the US team in 4th. “We had great skis and I was able to make up a lot of time in the fast sections today because of that.”

“I am very happy with the race today,” said Doherty the team’s anchor. “It is a big step in the right direction. I am excited to be getting into race shape and looking forward to the sprint.”
The Norwegian quartet of Ole Einar Bjoerdalen, Vetle Sjastad Christiansen, Henrik L’Abee-lund and Emil Hegle Svendsen won the men’s relay with five spare rounds in 1:13:40 for their third consecutive relay victory in Ruhpolding.

Russia finished second with two spares, at 5.1 seconds back, while the home team, Germany, grabbed the final spot on the podium, with one penalty and nine spares, at 17.9 seconds behind.

Full results here.