February 6, 2007 (Antholz, Italy) – Canada’s Jean-Philippe LeGuellec let his skis carry him to a personal best 40th-place finish Tuesday, at the Biathlon World Championships in Italy.

Completing the grueling 20-kilometre race in one hour two minutes and 33.8 seconds, the 21-year-old had three misses on the range but set a quick pace on the skis for all five laps of the competition to end the day +6:19.2 off the winner from France.

“It all came down to my skiing today,” said LeGuellec. “I went out pretty quick in my first lap, which can be dangerous at this high altitude. But I managed to keep the peppy pace throughout all five laps and my shooting came together fairly well, so I am pleased with the result.”

LeGuellec, a native of Val-Bélair, Que., set some tough standards for himself after a disappointing finish in the men’s sprint, which left him out the top-60 cut-off for Sunday’s pursuit race.

“This is my best individual performance at this high level of competition,” said LeGuellec. “I was 48th at the Olympics so this is an improvement on that result. I was extremely disappointed in myself for not qualifying for the pursuit, so I was definitely looking for a better performance from myself today. Now it’s time to have some fun in the relay and hopefully come together as a team for a great finish.”

The day belonged to Frenchman, Raphael Poiree, who shot flawlessly and completed the race in 56 minutes 14.6 seconds. Germany’s Michael Greis had two misses to take the silver, +26.8 seconds behind Poiree, while Michal Slesingr, of the Czech Republic, grabbed the bronze, +37.4 off the winning pace.

Three other Canadians challenged the men’s 20-kilometre individual race. David Leoni, of Camrose, Alta., finished 60th (+7:52.4), Robin Clegg, of Ottawa, finished 62nd (+8:03.2) and Jaime Robb, of Edmonton, finished 74th (+9:24.4).

The Canadian women will take on the world’s best biathletes in the 15-kilometre individual race Wednesday. For full schedule and results, please visit www.biathlonworld.com.

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 website at www.biathloncanada.ca.

Men’s top-five results:
1. Raphael Poiree, FRA, 56:14.6
2. Michal Greis, GER, +26.8
3. Michal Slesingr, CZE, +37.4
4. Frode Andresen, NOR, +39.3
5. Nikolay Kruglov, RUS, +51.1

Canadian results:
40. Jean-Philipe LeGuellec, Val-Bélair, Que., +6:19.2
60. David Leoni, Camrose, Alta., +7:52.4
62. Robin Clegg, Ottawa, +8:03.2;
74. Jaime Robb, Edmonton, +9:24.4


FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Chris Dornan
Media and Public Relations
Biathlon Canada
T: 403-247-5423

Katie Henderson
Media and Public Relations
Biathlon Canada
T: 403-247-5601

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