February 03, 2016 (Canmore, Alta.) – Canada is playing host to round seven of the 2016 BMW IBU Biathlon World Cup from Feb. 4-7 at the legendary Canmore Nordic Centre. While the venue has hosted numerous FIS XC World Cups in recent times, this is the first biathlon World Cup at home in more than 20 years – since 1994.

The Canadian team has seen steady positive growth under head coach Matthias Ahrens who began his tenure with Biathlon Canada back in 2005 starting with the junior team. Last year was a superb season for the team with many personal bests capped off by Nathan Smith’s first World Cup victory in the Men’s 12.5km Pursuit at the final round in Khanty-Mansiysk, Russia.

His stellar win came barely two weeks after he became the first Canadian male to win a medal at the Biathlon World Championships taking home the silver in the Men’s 10km Sprint at Kontiolahti, Finland. It was in 2013 that JP Le Guellec made history as the first Canadian man to win an IBU World Cup in Oestersund, Sweden adding gusto the team’s progress.

Recent strong results from Rosanna Crawford and newbies, Macx Davies and Julia Ransom, bode well for the team that’s poised for more solid skiing and shooting at home and at the Presque Isle, Maine for round eight, where US Biathlon will once again play host. We caught up with Ahrens for his take on Canada’s success and how it feels to host a World Cup at home. More photos below.

Interview w/Canadian Head Coach Matthias Ahrens

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Biathlon Canada Team – BMW IBU Biathlon Canmore World Cup

Women

– Rosanna Crawford (Canmore, Alta.)
– Megan Tandy (Prince George, B.C.)
– Julia Ransom (Kelowna, B.C.)
– Sarah Beaudry (Prince George, B.C.)
– Zina Kocher (Red Deer, Alta.)

Men

– Macx Davies (Canmore, Alta.)
– Scott Gow (Calgary)
– Christian Gow (Calgary)
– Brendan Green (Hay River, N.W.T.)
– Nathan Smith   (Calgary)

IBU Biathlon Canmore World Cup Race Schedule

February 4
11:15 a.m. MST – Men’s 10km Sprint

February 5
11:15 a.m. MST – Women’s 7.5km Sprint

February 6
10 a.m. MST – Men’s 15km Mass Start (Top-30 Athletes)
11:30 a.m. MST – Women’s 12.5km Mass Start (Top-30 Athletes)

February 7
10:10 a.m. MST – Single Mixed Relay (1 Woman, 1 Man)
2:05 p.m. MST – Mixed Relay (2 Women, 2 Men)