September 7, 2008 (Canmore, AB) – The 2008 North American Biathlon Championships kicked off in Canmore, Alberta this past Thursday and will continue through today. More than 50 biathletes from across Canada and the US are in town competing in the 3-day event. The first event on the schedule was the Individual Rollerski competition that saw the women race 15km and 20km for the men.

Canadian world cup medalist Zina Kocher, of the Rocky Mountain Ski Racers won the women’s race by over three minutes crossing the line in 50:19. Behind her in second place was Manitoba’s Megan Imrie, followed by Megan Tandy of British Columbia. The men’s race was won by Scott Perras of the Biathlon School in a time of 57:37, followed Maxime Leboeuf of Courcelette in second and in third was Patrick Cote of Biathlon New Brunswick.

Day 2 saw the athletes competing in the Sprint Rollerski and Running event. The women competed in a 7.5km race, and the men 10km. Winning the second day’s race was Megan Imrie in a time of 25:31, followed by Megan Tandy, and in third was Melanie Schultz of CNSC. On the men’s side Jean-Philippe Le Guellec of Courcelette won in a time of 25:45. In second was Ferreol Cannard of France, and Patrick Cote held third position for the second event in a row.

On Sunday the athletes will be competing in the final event of the championships, the Pursuit Rollerski and Running event. For complete results from the first two days events click below:

– Thursday Sept 4th Individual Roller Biathlon – results
– Saturday Sept 6th Sprint Roller and Running Biathlon – results