April 15, 2019 (Canmore, Alta.) – Biathlon Canada has announced that Head Coach, Matthias Ahrens and Operations Coordinator, Marian Harvie left the organization in early April. Ahrens led the team through two Olympic Winter Games and has had a lasting impact on the national team program.

We look forward to building on his legacy as we set our focus on Beijing 2022 and the Games in 2026. “As National Team Coach/Head Coach, I have provided 14 years of consistent result improvement within the Canadian National Team and will now move on from here,” said Ahrens.

“As all the athletes that have grown with me in the system of Biathlon Canada are leaving, so will I. It was a great pleasure seeing those fine young athletes train, grow and improve under my guidance. Over this period we have transformed into a National Team that is now internationally recognized,” he added.

Biathlon Canada would like to thank Matthias and Marian for their contributions and wish them all the best in their future pursuits.

April 13, 2019 (Finland) – After a season of exciting battles and events all over Europe, the Visma Ski Classics Season IX came to an end above the Artic Circle. Ylläs-Levi in the north of Finland was the season finale and it gave everyone a thrilling season ending.

Astrid Øyre Slind (Team Koteng), executed a copy paste of last year’s event. With a final push 9 km before the finish line she skied away from her competitors to a second Ylläs-Levi victory in a row.

“Last year I broke away in a downhill, this year I had to do it in an uphill. I’m super happy with this victory and it’s a really good end of the season,” said Astrid Øyre Slind.

In the men’s race everyone expected anyone but Andreas Nygaard, Team Ragde Eiendom, to break away at the end. But Nygaard was stronger than ever and with a decisive move at 12 km to go, he left everyone behind.

“Finally a solo victory and the best possible way to end the season,” said Andreas Nygaard.

After 12 events during the season, Ylläs-Levi also put an end to all bib competitions in Visma Ski Classics.

With his victory, Nygaard secured his first place both in the Hertz Champion bib and the Visma Nordic Trophy competitions. Britta Johansson Norgren, Lager 157 Ski Team, had already secured her victory in the Hertz Champion bib competition and saw herself beaten by Øyre Slind (Team Koteng) for the Visma Nordic Trophy.

The standing in the climb bib competition was all open before today’s race and we witnessed a thrilling end in both the men’s and women’s category. Morten Eide Pedersen, Team BN Bank, attacked 100 meters before the climb point at Kukastunturi and with a clear sprint finish victory he gathered enough points to win the Climb bib. In the women’s category, Astrid Øyre Slind’s third place was enough to crown her as the queen of the climb.

In the sprint competition, Anton Karlsson did what was necessary to win the green bib with his teammate in Lager 157 Ski Team. Britta Johansson Norgren had already claimed the women’s competition.

The Youth competition was more or less decided before the event as both Torleif Syrstad (Team Koteng), and Sofie Elebro (Team Ragde Eiendom),  sealed the deal in the race taking home the victories in their respective categories.

In the Pro Team competition, we saw a new overall winner. Team Koteng has been consistent all through the season and conquered a well-deserved Pro Team victory.

Ylläs-Levi results here.
VISMA Ski Classics 18/19 results here.

April 11, 2019 (New Glorsester, Maine) – The U.S. Biathlon International Competition Committee has announced the following national men’s and women’s A-Team and B-Team rosters for the upcoming 2019-20 season, plus the new Junior National Team was also named

National Team Women and Men

A Team
Women
Clare Egan (Cape Elizabeth, Maine) A1
Susan Dunklee (Barton, Vt.) A1
Joanne Reid (Grand Junction, Colo.) A1
Emily Dreissigacker (Morrisville, Vt.) A3

Men
Sean Doherty (Center Conway, N.H.) A1
Leif Nordgren (Marine, Minn.) A3
Jake Brown (Saint Paul, Minn.) A3

B Team
Women
Deedra Irwin (Pulaski, Wis.)
Hallie Grossman (South Burlington, Vt.)
Chloe Levins (Rutland, Vt.)

Men
Max Durtschi (Ketchum, Idaho)
Alex Howe (Gilford, N.H.)
Travis Cooper (Kenai, Alaska)
Paul Schommer (Appleton, Wis.)

Development Group
Kelsey Dickinson (Winthrop, Wash.)

Note: B Team athletes may be promoted to the A Team following summer biathlon national championships based on staff recommendations if approved by the ICC. Other athletes may be invited to training camps based on their results at the summer nationals as well.

NEW Junior National Team 2019
Based at Regional Centers/ Clubs

As a training-camp based group, the purpose of the Junior National Team is to foster effective training environments and coaching relationships that support the continued development of our top performing Junior and Youth athletes.

Biathletes named to this team have demonstrated internationally competitive biathlon performances and or nationally competitive ski speed. Athletes who place in the top-40 (excluding relays) at the preceding Junior & Youth World Championships (YJWCH) or the Junior Open European Championships (JOECH) will automatically qualify for this team as long as they will be at in the youth/junior age class for the coming season.

If extra space is available at training camps before U.S. Summer National Championships, additional athletes may be invited to participate based on their best performance at Junior & Youth World Championships, Junior IBU Cups, JOECH and U.S. Nationals. After Summer Nationals, extra camp space will be filled by staff recommendations and U.S. Biathlon International Competition Committee approval based on the events listed above and Summer Nationals.

U.S. Biathlon will update these criteria before the start of the 2019-20 season and include additional pathways by which athletes can earn discretion nominations to the Junior National Team other than top-40 Y/JWCH and JOECH.

Junior National Team
Chloe Levins (Rutland, Vt.)
Garrett Beckrich (Grand Rapids, Minn.)
Vasek Cervenka (Grand Rapids, Minn.)
Lars Hammernes Leopold (Truckee, Calif.)
Maxime Germain (Anchorge, Alaska)

April 10, 2019 (Norway) – NRK, the government-owned radio and television public broadcasting company, and the largest media organization in Norway, has lost the rights to air several key winter sports in a bidding war with privately owned, Nordic Entertainment Group (NENT), reports News in English.no. NENT will take over all broadcasting rights to both alpine and cross-country skiing in the country as of 2021.

After providing over 50 years of extensive coverage on these sports, NRK has lost the rights to air around 40 percent of Norwegian skiing star’s performances. The company still retains the ability to broadcast biathlon and speed skating, but the loss of rights to air other key sports is a devastating blow to the organization.

“We are of course extremely disappointed,” NRK’s sports editor Egil Sundvor told his own organization’s news division on Thursday. “These broadcasting rights are important for us, and we stretched ourselves very far financially to secure them.” Sundvor added that NRK’s sports journalists will continue to report on winter sports from a journalistic perspective – the full article can be found here.

April 09, 2019 (Ottawa, Ont.) – Nakkertok NJDT is now ENRG, Equipe Nakkertok Racing Group. ENRG is part of the Nakkertok Nordic Racing Program, geared to athletes 18+ who want to improve as racers and benefit from high level coaching and competition. Accepting applications for the 2019/20 Season – more info here.

ENRG fait partie du programme de compétition, destiné aux athlètes de 18 ans+, qui veulent s’améliorer en tant que coureurs et bénéficier d’un entraînement et de compétitions de haut niveau. Nous acceptons les candidatures pour la saison 2019-20. Info fr ici.

April 05, 2019 (Quebec City, QC) – In this edition of Talkin’ With the Gravy Train, our host Peter Graves talks with legendary Alex Harvey, 30, who celebrated a storybook ending to his stellar career, winning back-to-back silver medals on home snow in sunny conditions for a dream weekend finale, as massive crowds cheered him on at the FIS XC Ski World Cup finals Quebec City Mar. 22-24.

Harvey brought the country to its feet once again on the final weekend besting Russia’s Alexander Bolshunov in the final sprint to the line on the Plains of Abraham to claim his second silver of the weekend, as the crowd roared approval.

Harvey secured 32 World Cup podiums, including seven victories, and five World Championship medals. His first World Cup podium also occurred on home snow in 2009 when he teamed up with George Grey to win the bronze in Whistler, B.C.

He teamed with Devon Kershaw as the duo took things to a new level in 2011 when they became the first Canadian men ever to win a World Championship cross-country ski race, claiming the gold in the team sprint at the birthplace of the sport in Oslo, Norway. They celebrated the breakthrough by playing air guitar with their skis in the finish corral.

His biggest win came in 2017 when he became Canada’s first World Champion in an individual cross-country ski race, winning the feature event – the men’s 50-kilometre race. Harvey also became the first non-European male to reach the overall podium of the Tour de Ski in January of 2018. His greatest emotional victories and podiums were on home snow in Quebec City. “Emotionally this is the number one weekend for me in my career,” said Harvey of his final weekend of racing.

In three trips to the Olympic Winter Games, his best finish came in 2018 when he finished six seconds off the podium in fourth in the 50km CL event at PyeongChang as and Olympic medal eluded the talented Canuck.

“To end my career with two podiums makes me feel even better about my decision. It’s a special day and I wanted to give my best, I always wanted to stop while being at the top, and even if it was a tough season for me, I think the last two weeks have been really good. The time is right,” said Harvey, dubbed the Prince of Quebec, and now recognized as the King of Canadian cross-country skiing. Now it’s time for his law career, Christmas at home, and perhaps starting his own family.

Interview with Alex Harvey

April 03, 2019 – Join Lumi Experiences at the 2020 Oberstdorf World Cup and support the NNF. For 2020, Lumi Experiences is partnering with the NNF again to offer a trip to the Oberstdorf World Cup and König Ludwig Lauf Worldloppet in Oberammergau, plus several days on the World Championship trails in Seefeld.

Best of Bavaria & Tyrol – Benefiting the NNF

Lumi Experiences – Best of Bavaria & Tyrol – Benefiting the NNF
January 24 – February 3, 2020

Sign up soon! Lumi is offering $250 off all 2020 vacations booked before April 30, 2019.

2019 Seefeld World Championships Trip Recap
Lumi Experiences Cross Country Ski Vacations just finished their trip to the 2019 World Championships in Seefeld, benefiting the National Nordic Foundation (NNF). In the past two years, Lumi trips have donated over $16,000 to the NNF. This year’s trip was led by Olympians Holly Brooks and Garrott Kuzzy, as well as Tyrolean local Raphi Bechtiger. Guests enjoyed seven days of skiing in Seefeld and cheering on their favorite skiers, plus a variety of activities like lift-serve sledding and a tour of the US Ski Team wax truck.
Lumi Experiences 2019 World Championships Photo Album here.

Lumi Experiences was founded by US Olympian Garrott Kuzzy and offers group, self-guided and custom cross country ski vacations to some of the world’s most renowned ski destinations, including several World Cup and Worldloppet events. Learn more here.

March 31, 2019 (Presque Isle, Maine) – After a two-year drought, the APU 1 team of Rosie Brennan (Park City, Utah), Eirk Bjornsen (Winthrop, Wash.), Sadie Bjornsen (Winthrop, Wash.), and David Norris (Fairbanks, Alaska) took the the mixed relay win at the L.L. Bean U.S. Nationals in Presque Isle, Maine. Considered by the athletes as the most important events, the relay did not disappoint, and APU went out charging from the gun.

While basking in the glow of a great win, the team members had this to say:

Sadie Bjornsen – “We had to really attack in all the legs and Stratton is a very dominant team as shown in the last two years, but this is always a fun event because it is so competitive. It looked like with this headwind it was going to be hard to do much damage, but thanks to Erik for changing that.”

Erik Bjornsen – “We are all good friend between Stratton and APU and a lot of us are on the national team and train together, but you show up to the race today and you just glare at those guys and you want to beat them. They are not our friends today.”

Rosie Brennan – “I had a small mishap, it was challenging out there and I just tired to stay as close as possible so Erik could do his thing.”

David Norris – “It was great for Sadie to tag off with such a gap and I tried to ski steady and just enjoy the lead.”

SMS T2 finished second with a team of Sophie Caldwell (Peru, Vt.) Kyle Bratrud (Eden Prairie, Minn.), Julia Kern (Waltham, Mass.) and Simi Hamilton (Apen, Colo.)

“It was a great day for our team, I think we all skied really strong legs, so to be second was a great accomplishment,” said Caldwell.

The battle for third shaped up between APU 2 (Hailey Swirbul, Scott Patterson, Rosie Frankowski and Logan Hanneman) and Craftsbury Green Racing Project (Ida Sargent, Ben Lustgarten, Caitlin Patterson and Akeo Maifeld-Carucci) with the final podium position going to APU 2.

Skiing anchor leg was Hanneman who had this to say, “I led the first half of the first lap and then Akeo passed me. I didn’t have much in the tank, so I was happy to let him lead. On the second lap we saw the Thunder Bay guy coming so Akeo went a little harder, and then on the big hill I went really hard and passed him coming into the rollers before the finish. I was just focused on getting on the podium.”

The event has a well deserved day off Monday leading into the Men’s 50k and Women’s 30k National Championship on Tuesday to end the competition.

RESULTS

Mixed-team relay

March 19, 2019 (Sapporo, Japan)– Canada’s Para-Nordic Team celebrated a historic end to the 2019 World Cup season with a four-medal haul, thanks to the work of the magicians in the Canadian wax room in Sapporo, Japan.

The Canadian anthem was played three times in the Nishioka Stadium with Brian McKeever and his guide Graham Nishikawa, Mark Arendz and Natalie Wilkie all winning gold in the short distance cross- country ski races. Emily Young added a bronze to the bag of loot for the Canucks.

“It was a heck of a day,” said the 39-year-old McKeever. “When the wax team hits it like today, especially given the tough conditions, it’s almost unfair for the rest of the countries.”

McKeever, of Canmore, Alta., and Nishikawa of Whitehorse, dusted the field in the men’s five-kilometre visually impaired category after posting a golden time of 14:24.7. Norway’s Eirik Bye finished 53 seconds off the pace at 15:17.8. Ukraine’s Dmytro Suiarko claimed the bronze medal with a time of 15:37.0.

With Canada’s Paralympic legend setting the tone, it was an 18-year-old emerging star of the women’s program following suit. Natalie Wilkie, of Salmon Arm, B.C., snagged a gold of her own in a thrilling 2.5-kilometre women’s . A three-time medallist at her first Paralympics one year ago, Wilkie edged out Norway’s Vilde Nilsen by one second to win the gold medal with a time of 8:31.6. Nilsen stopped the clock at 8:32.9.

North Vancouver’s Emily Young shared the podium with Wilkie after a tough battle with the Ukraine women. The 28-year-old Young capped off her most successful week of World Cup racing by winning her second bronze medal in Japan with a time of 8:47.1. Young kicked off the final World Cup stop of the year with a silver and bronze in the biathlon events.

“Our skis were the best in the field. Our wax techs absolutely gave us the best skis possible for the conditions,” said Young. “This distance is not a long time to fix your mistakes, but it also feels like the longest sprint race of your life. The wax techs did it all today. They know how to work their magic and yell to motivate us around the course.”

Brittany Hudak, of Prince Albert, Sask., was sixth in the women’s standing division with a time of 9:02.5.

Mark Arendz completed the golden hat trick for the Canadians. The 29-year-old bookended his stellar season that also saw him winning six World Championship medals with another golden standard in the men’s five-kilometre standing division. Arendz, of Springton, P.E.I., skied into the winner’s circle with a time of 13:53.9.

“It was a fantastic team effort today in tough conditions that suited us well,” said Arendz, who struggled through Saturday’s cross-country ski race. “It feels amazing to lay down an incredible performance today.

“I felt great right from the start and pushed exactly how I wanted. Our team just nailed the skis and gave us the best boards possible for all conditions today.”

Benjamin Daviet, of France, skied to the silver at 14:06.1. Japan’s Taiki Kawayoke claimed third place with a time of 14:12.6.

Derek Zaplotinsky, of Smoky Lake, Alta., finished fifth in the five-kilometre sit-skiing race with a time of 17:07.0.

It is the second time in the history of the program the Canadians have won three gold on the same day. Brian McKeever, along with Chris Klebl and Colette Bourgonje, also accomplished the feat in 2011.

Complete Results here.

March 19, 2019 (Ottawa, ON) – Canada’s 10-member World Championship Team will lead 29 Canadians into Quebec City where they will host the top nordic athletes in the world for the FIS Cross Country World Cup Finals, March 22-24, 2019.

Canada will field a team of 15 men and 14 women for the World Cup finale that will consist of one sprint and two distance races on the world-renowned Plains of Abraham in Quebec City.

Each of the athletes earned their coveted spots to compete against the world’s best on home snow through Nordiq Canada’s selection policy for competition trips. The 12 pre-qualified athletes locked up their spots on the start line based on results while competing on the international stage. Canadian Ski Championships in Gatineau, Que. offered a final qualification opportunity.

March 17, 2019 (Ostersund, Sweden) – The USA’s Joanne Reid saved the best for last. claiming a stellar 10th-place finish in the first 12.5km Mass Start race of her career on Sunday, the final day of the 2019 IBU Biathlon World Championships in Ostersund, Sweden.

On a day that saw none of the 30-woman field shoot clean in the snowfall and strong winds, Reid utilized consistent shooting, with one penalty at each of the four stages, to notch her top-10 finish, 1:32.1 seconds behind the winning time.

“The mass start is a good format for me I think, based on a whopping data set of one, because I break very late in the race, and I start out very slowly. I also have this bizarre personality feature of usually being the speed of the person in front of me, no matter who they are. If you combine both of those, that’s basically what a mass start is all about. Anyway, no matter what I did today, it was going to be a personal mass start best, so the pressure was off for me. It’s a lot tougher to be in the hot seat with the weight of expectation than the vaguely lukewarm seat.”

Italy’s Dorothea Wierer won the women’s mass start despite two penalties in the last standing stage. She crossed the line in 37:26.4, 4.9 seconds ahead of Russia’s Ekaterina Yurlova-Percht, who also had two penalties. Germany’s Denise Herrmann, with four penalties, took the bronze medal, 15.4 seconds behind Wierer.

“It’s an odd thing, biathlon. You can have the same shooting result on two different race days and come out with a totally different finish,” said Reid. “Of course, I suppose cross-country skiing is a sport in and of itself, and so there’s that part of it. I found myself moderately bemused to come out of my last standing stage in 12th, because I didn’t shoot what on a ‘normal’ day is a good shooting. But you don’t look a gift horse in the mouth like that, you just put your head down and hammer to the finish, and while you’re hammering, everyone in front of you is a shiny, bright nail. Some days are good days, easy days. Some days are rugged days, brutal days. You’ll always have both. That’s not just biathlon, that’s life. Who you become because of it is what matters,” she added.

Italy’s Dorothea Wierer won the women’s mass start despite two penalties in the last standing stage. She crossed the line in 37:26.4, 4.9 seconds ahead of Russia’s Ekaterina Yurlova-Percht, who also had two penalties. Germany’s Denise Herrmann, with four penalties, took the bronze medal, 15.4 seconds behind Wierer. Clare Egan finished 26th with five penalties at 3:01.4 behind the winner.

In the men’s 15km mass start held later in the day in the ever-deepening snow, Sean Doherty placed 21st with four penalties, at 1:55.9 behind winner, Dominik Windisch of Italy with three penalties. France’s Antonin Guigonnat, also with three penalties, took the silver at 22.8 seconds back. Austria’s Julian Eberhard won bronze at 23.3 seconds behind Windisch with four penalties. Leif Nordgren rounded out the U.S. efforts in 30th place, 3:51.7 back with five penalties.

The final IBU World Cup of the season starts Thursday in Oslo, Norway.

Results

Women here.
Men here.

March 17, 2019 (Falun, Sweden) – The USA’s Jessie Diggins delivered a strong performance to land 3rd on the women’s 10km FR World Cup podium in Falun, Sweden on Sunday as Therese Johaug of Norway took home another victory.

“I knew my fitness and energy were in a great place going into today, and I love this course because it’s so twisty with a lot of turns and places to continue working the downhills all around the course,” said Diggins, who beat Norway’s Ingvild Flugstad Østberg in the final stretch by 0.5 seconds to secure the final podium position. Ebba Andersson of Sweden finished second.

Fellow American Sadie Bjornsen had a solid day as well finishing just outside the top 10 in 12th followed by rookie Julia Kern who skied to an impressive 25th, with Rosie Brennan 27th, Kaitlynn Miller in 34th and Rosie Frankowski was 35th.

“I focused on even pacing because it was slower with all the new snow and pushing as hard as I could in the V2 sections where it was easier to ski without the deeper snow. I was psyched to have great skis and even when the visibility on the downhills was a little sketchy in the snow, it was fun to send it,” added Diggins. No Canadian women competed in Falun.

The World Cup heads to North America for the World Cup Finals with three races in Quebec City, Canada, March 22-24 with a sprint freestyle, mass start classic and a pursuit freestyle.

Results here.

March 16, 2019 (Gatineau, Québec) – There were large crowds out today for the AltaGas, Canadian Championships sprint competitions, at the Nakkertok Nordic Centre. Antoine Briand of Sept-Îles, Quebec set the fastest Canadian time in qualifying and nipped World Cup veteran, Toronto’s Lenny Valjas, at the line in the semis.

The final saw a tight race, with Antoine Briand coming across as the Canadian Champion, and there was a 3-way photo finish for the other 2 podium spots. Julien Locke of Rossland BC came through for silver and Wiarton, Ontario’s Julian Smith finished with the bronze. Lenny Valjas, who had 2 gold medals already in the Championships finished 4th. Norwegian Haakon Skaanes, who had sat out the first 2 races, had the fastest “Time of the Day”.

Dominique Moncion-Groulx of Gatineau was the top local skier, 8th Canadian.

Antoine Briand: “I am super happy with my race. I have been dreaming of being the Canadian Champion for the last 9 months and am excited about qualifying for the World Cup finals in Quebec City next weekend.”

In the Junior Men’s race, Ottawa and Nakkertok’s Pierre Grall-Johnson comfortably captured gold on his home course.  Tallon Noble of Courtenay, B.C. and Sam Hendry of Canmore, Alberta grabbed the other 2 podium spots.

Pierre Grall-Johnson: “It was a super competitive race and it was really fun to win on my home course, with the home crowd cheering me on.”

In the women’s race Canmore’s Maya Macisaac-Jones claimed her first medal of the Championships, a gold. She had dominant performances in qualifying and the heats. Dahria Beatty of Whitehorse came second and Chelsea’s Katherine Stewart-Jones, also on her home Nakkertok course, came through with the bronze.

Maya Macisaac-Jones: “I felt really strong in qualifying, so just decided to go for it in the final and it worked! I am so happy to win here, it is an amazing place with awesome crowds.

Katherine Stewart-Jones: “It was a super fast course, so I didn’t want to lead early because of the draft effect. I didn’t have quite enough energy at the end for the win, but overall I am pretty happy”.

The top skier in the Junior woman’s race was Whistler, B.C.’s Benita Peiffer, with Shaylynn Loewen of Parry Sound, Ontario 2nd and Elizabeth Elliott of Revelstoke 3rd. Top local skiers were Tove Halvorsen of Chelsea in 5th and Bronwyn Williams of Cantley in 8th.

Complete results can be found here.

March 10, 2019 (Engadin, Switzerland) – The 51st Engadin Skimarathon offered a fast-paced race with breakaways and excitement from the beginning to the end. Dario Cologna from Switzerland won the men’s race after a tight sprint finish while his country woman Natalie von Siebenthal managed to get a gap and to win the race. Visma Ski Classics pro athletes performed really well by taking three podium places.

The elite women started five minutes before the elite men and they got caught in St. Moritz when approaching the first sprint point at 15 km. Von Siebentathal was able to follow some male skiers and got a gap over Astrid Øyre Slind, Team Koteng, who furiously chased after the Swiss National Team skier.

Britta Johansson Norgren, Lager 157 Ski Team, followed a little behind these two skiers. At one point, Øyre Slind was only 13 seconds behind von Siebenthal, but the latter was able to speed up in the final kilometers and finished the race 59 seconds before Øyre Slind. Johansson Norgren was third 1.52 minutes behind the winner.

“It was a tough race and the pace was high all the time,” the happy winner von Siebenthal declared at the finish.“I’ve got the gap after St. Moritz and I was able to get some help from fast-going male skiers, but I knew that Astrid was chasing me. I’ve got a bit more energy towards the end, and I was able to push hard and win this race.”

In the men’s race, Visma Ski Classics pro athletes Petter Eliassen, Team BN Bank, and Chris Andre Jesperen, Team Koteng, made sure that the speed was high right from the beginning. The decisive breakaway took place in the only long uphill on the course right after St. Moritz. There were eight skiers in the lead group all the way to the final kilometers where Eliassen could not keep up with the remaining seven skiers. Cologna was able to find the right lane at the finish area and cross the finish line before the others. Jean-Marc Gaillard from France was second and Anders Gløersen, Team Oslo Sportslager – Rustad IL, was the best Visma Ski Classics pro athlete with his third place.

“I didn’t expect the race to be this fast,” Cologna admitted after the race. “Visma Ski Classics skiers wanted to set the pace and we went fast from the beginning. But it suited me well. I was happy to see only seven skiers at the end, but I wasn’t that confident about winning. But I got lucky and had a good sprint at the end. This was the most competitive field I’ve seen in this race due to Visma Ski Classics and the French National Team skiers. I won’t be able to do more Visma Ski Classics races this year, but perhaps next year.”

Andreas Nygaard, Team Ragde Eiendom, who did not race today, still leads the Hertz Championship competition, but Eliassen is now second 101 points behind. Johansson Norgren managed to score more points over her opponents, and she has a safe lead in the overall competition. She also leads the sprint and climb competitions while there were no changes in the other categories as Anton Karlsson, Lager 157 Ski Team, is still the sprint leader, Morten Eide Pedersen heads the climb competition, Torleif Syrstad, Team Koteng, and Sofie Elebro, Team Ragde Eiendom, are the youth category leaders. Lager 157 Ski Team is only 60 points ahead Team Koteng in the pro team competition. This race was not a Visma Nordic Trophy event, hence those competitions remained untouched with Tore Bjørseth Berdal, Team Koteng, and Johansson Norgren in the leads.

Results

Women’s
1. Nathalie von Siebenthal (SUI) Saanen (BE) 1:30.41.1
2. Astrid Oeyre Slind (NOR) 59.0
3. Norgren Britta Johansson (SWE) 1.51.9
4. Picon Anouk Faivre (FRA) 1.56.7
5. Martine Ek Hagen (NOR) 2.19.4
6. Enora Latuillière (FRA) 2.29.7
7. Maria Gräfnings (SWE) 3.26.3
8. Emilie Bulle (FRA) 3.28.2
9. Giuliana Werro (SUI) Zernez (GR) 3.28.4
10. Delphine Claudel (FRA) 3.58.9

Full results here.

Men’s
1. Dario Cologna  (SUI) Davos (GR) 1:22.22.9
2. Jean-Marc Gaillard (FRA) 0.3
3. Anders Gloeersen (NOR) 0.5
4. Clément Parisse (FRA) 0.7
5. Cédric Steiner (SUI) Davos (GR) 0.8
6. Maurice Manificat (FRA) 1.6
7. Chris Andre Jespersen (NOR) 3.4
8. Petter Eliassen (NOR) 22.5
9 Adrien Mougel (FRA) 49.9
10. Ilya Chernousov (RUS) 1.19.8

Full results here.

March 10, 2019 (Ostersund, Sweden) – American Sean Doherty turned in his best performance at a world championship finishing 20th in the men’s 12.5km Pursuit with two penalties on Sunday at the IBU Biathlon World Championships in Ostersund.

The Ukraine’s Dmytro Pidruchnyi was the surprise victor also with two penalties claiming the world title along with the first podium of his career at the World Cup level.

Norway’s Johannes Thingnes Boe was in charge until three missed targets in the final standing session allowed Pidruchnyi to take the lead as Boe settled for the silver. Quentin Fillon Maillet (Fra) with three penalties finished third for his second bronze medal of the championships.

Scott Gow was the top Canadian in 43rd with four penalties. The USA’s Leif Nordgren went clean in prone but had four penalties in standing to finish 44th while Jake Brown placed 53rd with seven penalties at 6:00.8 back.

Full results here.

March 10, 2019 (Ostersund, Sweden) – The USA’s Clare Egan battled to a 12th-place finish in the Women’s 10km Pursuit despite a tough day on the range with five penalties as Germany’s Denise Herrmann won gold with two missed targets.

Tiril Eckhoff of Norway out-sprinted Germany’s Laura Dahlmeier to take silver. Eckhoff, with two penalties, finished at 31.4 seconds back, just 0.2 seconds ahead of Dahlmeier who missed only one target on the windy day. The top Canadian was Sarah Beaudry in 42nd with four penalties.

The women’s pursuit saw a stiff wind blowing throughout the competition, resulting in no one in the field of 55 starters going clean on the shooting range.

“Today we had really tricky conditions for shooting, with pretty strong wind gusts and a random blizzard,” said Egan. “I got caught in the wind for my last three shots and missed them all which was, of course, a big letdown. Maybe I should have waited, but that’s a gamble because you never know if the wind will stop, or if you will eventually miss anyway. Other than that, I managed the conditions pretty well.”

Full results here.

March 10, 2019 (Oslo, Norway) – The USA’s Rosie Brennan finished just out of the points in 33rd in the women’s 30km classic at the Holmenkollen FIS World Cup in Oslo, Norway, on Sunday as Therese Johaug (Nor) took home another victory, this time on home snow.

Natalia Nepryaeva (RUS) remained in the hunt for awhile but could not keep pace on the uphills and settled for the silver while Sweden’s Ebba Addersson claimed the bronze outpacing Ingvild Flugstad Østberg (Nor) on the final lap for the final podium spot.

“Today was a challenging and disappointing day for myself. I was fighting my body, my head, and my skis the whole way which on a course like this turns into a disappointing result. Holmenkollen has always been a challenge for me but with the shape I had at world champs I was optimistic that I could finally conquer Holmenkollen,” said Brennan. “However my first pair of skis were quite slick and my muscles a bit tired from World Champs still so it turned into a 30k struggle right away. After switching skis, I found better kick and picked up the pace a bit but sacrificed my glide for kick and struggled then on the downhills. I am hopeful I can recover in time to make the most of the last two weeks.”

Full results here.

March 09, 2019 (Oslo, Norway) – Canada’s Alex Harvey delivered a career-best 5th at the famed 50km Holmenkollen World Cup in Oslo, Norway on Saturday matching his 2011 result, as Alexander Bolshunov led a Russian podium sweep.

The three-time Canadian Olympian was in a pack of seven that pulled away from the field with nearly three kilometres to go. The group strung apart in a relentless double-pole sprint to the finish.

The race came down to a five-man fight for the medals in the finishing stretch as Bolshunov was unstoppable becoming the youngest winner of the legendary 50km race.

Maxim Vylegzhanin (Rus), at his final career competition, finished second while Andrey Larkov (Rus) took home the bronze. Russia’s Ilia Semikov took fourth just ahead of Harvey in 5th, with Norwegian race-favourite, Martin Johnsrud Sundby, in 6th.

“I was close to the podium today, but the Russians were too strong for me,” said Harvey. “I had really good skis, but it was clear the Russians had the best skis than anyone in the field. They were just really strong and fast today.”

The top American was Scott Patterson in 19th followed by the USA’s David Norris, who also skied into the points with a 24th-place finish. Adam Martin (USA) took home a World Cup personal best of 31st, while Canada’s Jack Carlyle was 42nd.

“I chased pretty hard with about 14k to go to make the split for the lead pack,” said Patterson. “I hung on to the group quite well for the last time up to Frognesetern, but when we went back to the stadium with 3k to go, I was struggling. While I fought with the 3 others who were struggling, I didn’t manage to outsprint any of them.”

“The first three laps went really well for me,” said Norris. “During the fourth lap, I started to struggle a bit and dangled off the lead group a few times. Starting the fifth lap I did a ski exchange and lost contact with the leaders. My skis for the last two laps were really good, but I couldn’t close the gap to the lead pack. I felt pretty tired today, but overall the race went pretty well and I’m happy with my performance.”

Oslo has special memories for Harvey who is winding down his illustrious career with just two more World Cup stops to go, ending with the World Cup finals at home in Quebec City. The 30-year-old and Devon Kershaw captured the world’s attention in 2011 when they won World Championship gold in the team sprint at the shrine of Nordic skiing.

“It is so crazy racing here. People have bonfires along the trails and are camping out overnight. It is big and a very loud atmosphere which helps give you extra energy for a 50k,” said Harvey. “We are always treated like kings when we show up here, but if you do well, they give you so much respect.”

Harvey has always been in podium contention at the most prestigious stop on the World Cup. On Saturday he matched his career-best in the Nordic marathon at Oslo. He was also fifth in 2011, and sixth two years ago.

“When I started on the National Team (a fifth-place finish) was huge for us. We have come so far and that is because of the teamwork we had that turned our program around. That started before I was even on the team,” said Harvey. “Those years with Devon (Kershaw), Lenny (Valjas), and Ivan (Babikov) ,we set the bar so high, and that was special to be a part of. It is very special to have gone from an underdog to a staple on the World Cup. We had such a great team, and together we were able to make our mark on the World Cup.”

Results here.

March 09, 2019 (Ostersund, Sweden) – American Sean Doherty shot clean to claim 22nd in the men’s 10km Sprint for a career-best finish at a world championships as Norway’s Johannes Thingnes Boe raced to victory with one penalty.

Second place went to Russia’s Alexander Loginov who matched Doherty on the range at 13.7 seconds behind Boe while France’s Quentin Fillon Maillet also shot clean to claim the bronze medal another three seconds in arrears.

The USA’s Leif Nordgren also shot clean and finished 34th followed by top Canadian Scott Gow in 50th with one penalty, Jake Brown (USA) with three penalties in 58th, Aidan Millar (Can) in 61st with one missed target, Jules Burnette (Can) in 76th with two penalties, Christiian Gow (Can) in 84th with four penalties and Max Durtshci (USA) was 93rd also with four missed targets.

“I am very happy to continue my good shooting groove,” said Doherty. “We had great skis to go along with the shooting today, so all the pieces were there for a strong performance. It will be exciting in the pursuit. I always enjoy starting in the thick of the action.”

March 03, 2019 (Seefeld, Austria) – Canadian Alex Harvey finished 12th in the men’s 50km FR, while American David Norris raced to a personal best 20th, as Norway’s Hans Christer Holund was crowned king after executing an unchallenged attack at 22km for the biggest victory of his career.

“Of course I wanted a better result, but I was really able to execute my plan to the dot,” said Harvey, who won the World Championship 50km FR two years ago. “It was a dream for me to come away from these World Championships with a podium, yet I think it was a good day. I just wasn’t strong enough on the skis.”

“I felt good and my skis were working really well,” said Norris. “It almost seemed easier to position myself in the top 15 as best as possible and just try to stay out of trouble. Then I came into 700 meters in medal contention but at that point I had no more juice left and just tried to survive.”

Both Harvey and Norris were near the front until Holund escaped and continued there in the chase group. When no one challenged Holund it was Russia’s Alexander Bolshunov who went solo to chase him down coming within 23 seconds as he settled for the silver.

On the final climb to the finish Norway’s Martin Johnsrud Sundby and Sjur Roethe attacked from the chase pack with Roethe edging his countrymen for the bronze.

“I was third with a kilometre to go, but I didn’t have the legs to go up the final uphill into the stadium,” said Harvey. “I was right in there side-by-side with Sundby. I knew the attack was going to come and it did. I was right where I wanted to be but just didn’t have the legs to fight for the podium. I went one stride with him, but my legs were just fried, and I didn’t have it.”

Scott Patterson (USA) was 23rd on the day, Simi Hamilton (USA) finished 34th with Adam Martin (USA) in 45th. Other Canadians included Russell Kennedy 46th, Evan Palmer-Charrette 47th and Scott Hill in 50th.

“I was in for the hunt, but I felt like I wasn’t skiing the downhills well and I missed the move on that last lap,” said Patterson. “I was thinking I need to go, need to go, but it was too late. I felt like if I had made that split, I could have fought with guys.”

Results here.

March 02, 2019 (Seefeld, Austria) – The USA’s Jessie Diggins was in the medal hunt from the get-go and finished a fab 4th in the women’s 30km FR Mass Start won by Therese Johaug (Nor) who claimed her 3rd title at the 2019 FIS Nordic World Ski Championships in Seefeld, Austria.

Americans Sadie Bjornsen and Rosie Brennan finished 15th and 16th respectively while Canada’s Katherine Stewart-Jones had the race of her life delivering a career-best 28th result.

The podium was decided on the final lap as Ingvild Flugstad Ostberg (Nor) and 19-year-old Frida Karlsson of Sweden duked it out with the Norwegian finally gapping her rival on the last downhill into the stadium for the silver.

“That was really fun and we had some of the best skis out there,” said Diggins. “I went to the front to take the lead as I could see that the chase group was starting to make time. I started working there and was steadily pinning it at the max I could sustain. I was working with Ingvild which was fun, but she started to go, and my body said nope, as I was struggling a bit with cramping.”

“When Ingvild started to go, my body said nope, as I was struggling a bit with cramping,” continued Diggins. “I was trying to ski as technically well as I could at about 2k to go and put all my energy into the snow. I was thinking I have got to make it to the finish line. When I crossed the finish line it was such a good feeling because I know I couldn’t have given it anything else.”

Post-race Interview with Jessie Diggins

“It was a ferocious and fun way to end the Championships today. After focusing the majority of my season on this week, I didn’t feel like I had much to show for it. So I decided to take on the 30k with no expectations other than to try to find some “fight”. With a wicked hot pace from the start, I was able to hang for about 7k, and then I mentally hit a wall,” said Bjornsen. “I finally made it back into a good place, and found good company skiing with Sedova. Looking back, I wish I would have pushed the pace more rather than settling into position with her. I felt great on my skis and have some great memories from this week here. I didn’t reach the goals I was hoping for, but there are three more weeks left of this season to find the best physical and mental version of myself. Thanks for all the cheers throughout these Championships!

“It was a day for toughness out there,” said Brennan. “We started out at a very fast clip and with some fatigue from a week of racing, I was not feeling like I could sustain that pace for 30k. I settled back and found a good group of girls to race with and things slowly turned around. We were able to pick up a few people that faded from the group in front and I was able to have a strong sprint finish. I am really proud of my finish, but wish I had it in me to stick with the group in front.”

It was Stewart-Jones first top-30. “I’m super stoked to get my first top-30 finish and surprised to get it in the 30-kilometre skate,” said the 23-year-old Canadian. “My strategy was just to try and stay in a pack from the start because I knew it would be really hard to ski alone,” added Stewart-Jones, who also skied a strong opening leg on Thursday’s 4×5 kilometre relay. “I ended up drifting back during the race, but when I switched skis at 18.75 kilometres I felt a lot more relaxed and was able to gain back some positions. It is really satisfying to end the week this way. The other two individual distance races at World Champs have been pretty disappointing so if feels great to finish with a strong performance.”

The USA’s Caitlin Patterson finished 34th, Emily Nishikawa (Can) was 39th, Dahria Beatty (Can) finished 41st and Canada’s Cendrine Browne skied to 46th spot.

Results here.

March 01, 2019 (Seefeld, AUT) – The U.S. men’s relay squad took home a gutsy 9th place finish in the men’s 4x10km Team Relay in Seefeld as Norway claimed its 10th consecutive world title with Russia in second and France third.

Americans Erik Bjornsen, Scott Patterson, David Norris and Kyle Bratrud were as high as 4th following the first exchange as Bjornsen led off with a brilliant leg. The U.S. team had an early morning roster adjustment as anchor skier Simi Hamilton woke up with a sore throat and was replaced with Bratrud

Team Canada’s Alex Harvey, Scott James Hill, Evan Palmer-Charrette and Len Valjas were 7th after the first leg courtesy of Harvey and finished 12th.

It was a dramatically different weather day with steady rain and cooler temperatures, a welcome break from the extreme warmth that has plagued the Championships so far.

“Erik skied a really smart and gutsy race and is obviously skiing well,” said U.S. Cross Country Team World Cup Coach Matt Whitcomb. “We were starting 12th and there are only two tracks in the relay, so his challenge today was to be aggressive early and get into the break when it happens. Because of his tactics he was able to hand off to Scott just 4-seconds behind the leaders. Scott kept things very close for a long time before he got snapped off the group. Unfortunately, David Norris (Fairbanks, Alaska) and Bratrud had to ski in no man’s land out there by themselves.”

February 28, 2019 (Seefeld, Austria) – Team USA’s Sadie Bjornsen, Rosie Brennan, Jessie Diggins and rookie Julia Kern battled to 5th place in the women’s 4x5km relay at the FIS Nordic World Ski Championships in Seefeld, Austria as Sweden won gold over Norway with Russia taking the bronze.

“It was hot and hard, really tough skiing out there,” said Kern, who skied the lead-off classic leg. “I had the most epic blow-up of my life, but I have no regrets, I put it all out there.”

“It is so challenging to be tagged off behind a group as you just want to close the gap as fast as you can,” said Brennan, who skied the second leg before tagging of to Bjornsen. “I tried to take the first kilometer and just breath and then hammer after that. The hills are running hills and those are my strength, but it’s crazy how hard it is to catch a group that is working together. As soon as I caught that group I told myself just don’t sit behind, keep making every second.”

“That was a ton of fun out there and so awesome to cross that finish line and have all my teammates there,” said Diggins, the final skier of the relay team. “I am so proud of this group because relay days need a little magic for the results to come in and we did the best we could.”

Canada’s Katherine Stewart-Jones, Emily Nishikawa, Cendrine Browne, and Dahria Beatty raced to 12th and took another step forward in their continued development into elite skiers.

“I just wanted to stay with the front pack for as long as I possibly could,” said Stewart-Jones. “The first lap I was able to stay pretty relaxed by being aggressive and avoiding unnecessary passes. My skis were super-fast, which helped me stay in touch on the flatter sections. The last lap, the top girls started pushing the pace, but I just put my head down and dug deep with the thought of tagging Emily in the best position possible.”

Results here.

February 27, 2019 (Seefeld, AUT) – Austrian Federal Police have reported five elite athletes and four others have been arrested during doping raids at the International Ski Federation (FIS) Nordic Skiing World Championships in Austria.

Austrian police confirmed at a press conference that 16 total properties had been raided across both Austria and Germany to detain individuals working in “a doping network operating worldwide”.

“In the morning hours of 27 February 2019, in a coordinated action in Seefeld and in Germany, a total of nine people were arrested and 16 house searches executed by orders of the Attorney General Munich and the STA Innsbruck,” according to a Police statement.

“In the course of a coordinated intervention in the presence of the German public prosecutor and German investigators, two members of the criminal group and five top athletes were arrested in Seefeld on the basis of orders granted by the court, and house searches were carried out.”

“The Erfurt-based criminal group is strongly suspected of having carried out blood doping on elite athletes for years to increase their performance in national and international competitions and thereby to gain illegal income,” said the Police.

At the Nordic Skiing World Championships in Seefeld, police report that two Austrian athletes were arrested along with one competitor from Kazakhstan and two from Estonia.

“Among the detainees are also two police athletes from the national squad cross country/national team, who are currently undergoing basic police training,” reads the statement.

Austrian Federal Police’s Dieter Csefan said in comments reported by the Austria Press Agency that one athlete was allegedly caught “in the act” as police report that he was “picked up with a blood transfusion in his arm.”

Two other individuals were detained in raids happening in Erfurt Germany, one of whom being a doctor with reported links to doping in cycling.

The Police identified the individuals as “40-year-old sports physician Dr. med. Mark S. and another 40-year-old German accomplice”

The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) released statement in response to the event, saying that they are aware of the raids and are in “close communication with law enforcement authorities”.

“The raids were part of a wider police operation targeting criminals from a number of European countries, and WADA’s Intelligence and Investigations Department has been providing information and other assistance to the authorities in the course of their operation,” a spokesperson said.

This is not the first time that Austrian skiers have been accused of doping, as six Austrian athletes from Biathlon and cross-country were banned from the Olympics in 2007.

February 27, 2019 (Seefeld, AUT) – American Erik Bjornsen skied to an impressive career-best 17th in the men’s 15k Classic individual start at the FIS Nordic World Ski Championships in Seefeld, Austria, on Feb. 27 as Norway’s Martin Johnsrud Sundby of Norway won his first-ever world title.

“It was a really hot, tough course with super soft conditions in the sunny sections,” said Bjornsen. “I decided to go for speedy skis today instead of good kick, so I didn’t feel good on the hills, but was trying to work the flats and use my double pole to my advantage. I was feeling really good yesterday and had high hopes today and was wanting to get a top 15 or 20 today.”

Alexander Bessmertnykh of Russia took home the silver with Ivo Niskanen of Finland winning the bronze. The USA’s Scott Patterson landed in the points finishing 30th, Kyle Bratrud was just behind in 31st. The top Canadian was Scott James Hill in 34th followed by Ben Lustgarten in 45th. Canada’s Evan Palmer-Charrette was 46th, Len Valjas finished 47th and a recovering Russell Kennedy was 68th.

Results here.

February 26, 2019 (Seefeld, AUT) – The USA’s Sadie Bjornsen led four Americans into the points finishing 23rd in warm, challenging conditions as Norway’s Therese Johaug claimed her second title at the 2019 FIS Nordic World Ski Championships in Seefeld, Austria.

Rosie Brennan was 24th, Jessie Diggins finished 25th, and Sophie Caldwell claimed 29th. The top Canadian was Emily Nishikawa in 36th followed by Dahria Beatty in 49th, Katherine Stewart-Jones was 51st and Maya Macisaac-Jones finished 66th.

“I felt good, I pushed the hills, but it was a really challenging race in the fact that I knew there was so much time that could be made or lost on those flat sections,” said Bjornson. “There is nothing I regret out there, I went as hard as I could, and it will be interesting to see where I lost all the time as I felt like I was in a fighting position after the first long uphill splits.”

The surprise of the day was Frida Karlsson, 19, from Sweden who placed second at 12.2 seconds behind Johaug. The podium was completed by Norwegian Ingvild Flugstad Østberg who finished 35.6 seconds behind the winner. Finnish favourite Krista Pärmäkoski was only 1.4 seconds behind in 4th.

Results here.

February 25, 2019 (Prince George, B.C.) – Two-time Paralympic champion Oksana Masters (Louisville, Kentucky) put on a show at the 2019 World Para Nordic Skiing Championships in Prince George, British Columbia, winning five world titles and six medals overall.

Masters raced to world titles in the women’s sitting class of middle-distance biathlon, middle-distance cross-country, cross-country sprint, biathlon sprint and long-distance cross-country. She also picked up a silver medal in individual biathlon.

Two-time Paralympic champion Kendall Gretsch (Downers Grove, Illinois) returns home as the world champion in the women’s sitting class of individual biathlon after shooting clean. Gretsch additionally secured podium finishes in each of her events, securing four silvers and one bronze medal.

Six-time Paralympic medalist Dan Cnossen (Topeka, Kansas) claimed a pair of medals, racing to silver in the men’s sitting class of the middle-distance cross-country and cross-country sprint races.

En route to the first world championships medal of his career, four-time Paralympian Aaron Pike (Park Rapids, Minnesota) won the bronze medal in the biathlon sprint.

Team USA will compete in the final world cup stop of the season in Sapporo, Japan, from March 12-17.

“The feeling of this world championships this year is disbelief. Today’s long-distance cross-country was a little bit of a redemption from PyeongChang 2018 where I barely made the podium and got third, which I’m so proud of. But it was the one race that I was really looking forward to and better my result from Sochi and South Korea. To be able to do it here at world championships a year later is absolutely amazing. This is the one race that I kept sitting out of during the world cups, and to be able to race it for the first time this season and win is insane,” said Masters.

“The first thing that I thought was ‘Oh, my God’ I finally did it. Finally got on the podium. The first thing I felt was relief. After all the hard work that I put in over the last few years with Nordic skiing, I felt like I could finally take a breath and pat myself on the back and enjoy it with my teammates. It was really awesome to see how happy my teammates were for the success, and how pumped the coaches were,” commented Pike.

U.S. Paralympics Nordic Skiing Team Medal Count: 15
Gold: 6 – Oksana Masters (middle-distance biathlon, middle-distance cross-country, cross-country sprint, biathlon sprint, long-distance cross-country); Kendall Gretsch (individual biathlon)
Silver: 7 – Kendall Gretsch (middle-distance biathlon, middle-distance cross-country, biathlon sprint, long-distance cross-country); Dan Cnossen (middle-distance cross-country, cross-country sprint); Oksana Masters (individual biathlon)
Bronze: 2 – Kendall Gretsch (cross-country sprint); Aaron Pike (biathlon sprint)

February 21, 2019 (Seefeld, AUT) – The result of Russian skier Sergei Ustiugov during a race within the framework of the 2019 FIS Nordic World Ski Championships has been annulled, the press service of the International Ski Federation (FIS) informed.

However, he will participate in the upcoming skiathlon event on February 23, Ustyugov’s German coach Markus Kramer stated. “He will participate in skiathlon,” Kramer reaffirmed.

During the race on Thursday, Norway’s Johannes Hoesflot Klaebo and Ustyugov bumped into each other on the track, and the Russian skier was on the verge of falling.

At the end of the race, Klaebo grabbed the gold with the result of 3 minutes 21.17 seconds, and his closest contender Federico Pellegrino completed the course taking silver with the result of 3 minutes 21.40 seconds. Another Russian skier Gleb Retivykh won the bronze, clocking the sprint distance in 3 minutes 22.54 seconds.

The incident on the track was not forgotten as after crossing the finish line Russia’s Ustyugov and Norway’s Klaebo were seen to be engaged in heated debates and Ustyugov gave him a shove. The referees at the championship flashed a yellow card for Ustyugov following this post-race incident. Ustyugov’s coach Markus Kramer said an appeal was filed, but it was later turned down by the organizers of the tournament.

It is noted that Ustyugov received two yellow cards, one for unsportsmanlike behavior, and one for creating obstacles for his opponent during the race.

The next race within the championship will take place on Saturday, with skiathlon taking place on the same day.

February 21, 2019 (Seefeld, AUT) – The USA’s Simi Hamilton raced to 9th in the men’s 1.6km Sprint FR race with Canada’s Alex Harvey 16th as Norway’s Johannes Klaebo was crowned world sprint champion. Italy’s Federico Pellegrino settled for silver while Russia’s Gleb Tetivykh finished third.

“I didn’t feel like I had the best energy today and my quarterfinal was really pinged the whole time and that took a lot out of me,” said Hamilton. “My plan was to use the second half of the course to draft and try to move up in the pack, but the pace was high at the start and the pack stayed together. I focused on a hard finish and it just wasn’t enough.”

Harvey, who qualified 18th, was fourth in his quarterfinal and did not advance. “I was expecting things to feel different today, but there really was no difference for me. For me, it was a World Championships and I am always so motivated for these big races. This was a good start and I hope to build on it throughout the week.”

The U.S. men qualified three of four starters with Kevin Bolger finishing 19th and Logan Hanneman 27th. Canada’s Len Valjas was 51st, Evan Palmer-Charrette was 64th and Russell Kennedy, coming off a recent career-best 12th, has been battling a cold and did not start.

An incident during the heats between Russia’s Sergey Ustiugov and Klaebo saw both skiers remain on their skis but Ustiugov was not happy and shoved Klaebo in the finish area as the two exchanged comments. Ustiugov was disqualified due to clash with Klaebo after crossing finish line. According to TASS he received two yellow cards, one for unsportsmanlike behavior, and one for creating obstacles for his opponent during the race – read more here.

The World Championships continue on Saturday with the men’s and women’s skiathlon.

Men’s Sprint Qualifications here.
Men’s Sprint Finals here.

February 21, 2019 (Seefeld, AUT) – The USA’s Jessie Diggins finished 8th in the women’s 1.2km Sprint FR as the 2019 FIS Nordic World Ski Championships got underway in Seefeld, Austria on Thursday.

Norway’s Maiken Caspersen Falla took home gold and the world title with Stina Nilsson of Sweden claiming second and Mari Eide of Norway third. A crash late in the race marred the finish.

American Sophie Caldwell was 14th, Sadie Bjornsen placed 18th and Julia Kern finished 23rd. Canada’s Dahria Beatty narrowly missed a spot in the women’s heats just out of top-30 in 31st.

“If I was going to build a course perfect for me, this would not be it,” said Diggins, who battled hard in her semifinal heat, but in a short 1.2km course got boxed in and finished fourth. “But that’s OK because this is the only time all week I will need fast twitch and I am a self-described slow-twitch athlete. I am proud of how I raced today and did the best I could.”

In the final Falla led from the start with three Swedes chasing hard. On the final corner before the downhill to the finish Sweden’s Maja Dahlqvist collided with her teammate Jonna Sundling who managed to stay upright. Falla capitalized and gapped her rivals for a clear victory.

Canucks Katherine Stewart-Jones finished 40th with teammate Maya Macisaac-Jones in 52nd. The World Championships continue on Saturday with the men’s and women’s Skiathlon.

Women’s Sprint Qualifications here.
Women’s Sprint Finals here.

February 21, 2019 (Prince George, BC) – Canada’s Mark Arendz completed his medal hat trick at the midway point of the 2019 World Para Nordic Skiing Championships on Wednesday after winning a bronze medal in the biathlon sprint competition in Prince George, B.C.

The 28-year-old added a bronze to a silver in cross-country skiing and a bronze in biathlon that captured earlier this week. Arendz finished the men’s 7.5-kilometre race with a time of 21:04.5, bringing his career World Championship medal total to 11.

“I’m really happy with things today. I started strong and tried to put the hurt on the other guys on the snow but when we all go clean it is tough,” said Arendz. “I’m really happy with the range today. One shot was a bit borderline, playing with the danger zone, but it went well.”

Benjamin Daviet continued his dominance of the 2019 World Championships, setting the time to beat at 20:17.0.

Arendz, of Springton, P.E.I., finished just five seconds out of the silver-medal position occupied by Ukraine’s Grygorii Vovchynskyi, who finished at 20:59.1.

All three podium finishers shot clean in their two trips to the range.

“When we are all shooting clean, I knew it was going to come down to a strong ski race,” said Arendz.

“There are still a few little pieces missing that I hope to clean up. It’s been awesome competing here in Canada. I think this is one of the best community venues we have in the country. This community comes out to cheer us on. We have felt that presence here all week, so it has been great to compete in front of them.”

Kyle Barber, of Lively, Ont., finished 10th at 27:50.1 (3+1).

Earlier in the day, Canada’s Derek Zaplotinsky had the race of his life finishing fourth in the men’s 7.5-kilometre sit-skiing race. Zaplotinsky, of Smokey Lake, Alta., completed three laps around the 2.5 kilometre loop in a time of 26:04.1.

“It feels great to finally put together a good biathlon race,” said Zaplotinsky.

“The shooting was good, and the skiing was really good too. I’m really tired right now but really happy. I gave it all I had on that one.”

Competing in just his third season on the National Development Team, the 23-year-old rattled off nine of 10 targets in his two stops at the range on Wednesday. Athletes are forced to ski a 100-metre penalty loop for every missed shot.

Zaplotinsky also had a career-best cross-country ski race on Monday when he was fifth in the middle-distance competition.

“The goal was to replicate my middle-distance cross-country ski race,” said the 2018 Paralympian, who enjoyed the warmer conditions. “Our wax techs did a great job getting the skis ready today. I’m going to get some rest and get ready for tomorrow.”

Ukraine’s Taras Rad shot clean to win the gold medal with a time of 24:04.2 in the sit-skiing division. Germany’s Martin Fleig was second at 24:19.4, while Aaron Pike of the United States, locked up the bronze medal at 25:39.7.

Canada’s Brittany Hudak was sixth in the women’s standing biathlon sprint event. Hudak, of Prince Albert, Sask., missed one shot in her first of two rounds of shooting, finishing with a time of 21:53.2 (1+0). Emily Young, of North Vancouver, was eighth at 22:36.6 (0+1).

Ukraine’s Liudmyla Liashenko won the women’s standing classification with a time of 19:47.2 (0+1).

Thanks to Arendz’s three-medal performance, along with a gold and silver medal won by Collin Cameron, Canada now has five podium finishes at the 2019 World Para Nordic Skiing Championships.

February 20, 2019 (Seefeld, AUT) – The US and Canadian teams are on site in Seefeld where the 2019 FIS World Nordic Ski Championships will soon be underway, February 20 – March 3, with the xc ski qualifications and opening ceremonies on Feb. 20 and the first cross-country competitions begin Feb. 21.

U.S. Ski & Snowboard has named 18 athletes to the U.S. Cross Country Team including two medalists from past championships including Jessie Diggins (Afton, Minn.) and Sadie Bjornsen (Winthrop, Wash.) – complete team here.

Led by six Olympians, Cross Country Canada named a team of five women and five men who will bring the maple leaf to the start line in all races throughout the two-week Championships – complete team here.

Seefeld 2019 FIS Nordic World Championship Competition Program

Day 1: Wednesday, 20th February 2019
09:30 am Nordic Combined Training HS130 – Bergisel Schanze Innsbruck
12:30 pm Cross-Country Quali Ladies 5km C – Cross-Country Arena
02:00 pm Cross-Country Quali Men 10km C – Cross-Country Arena
02:00 pm Ski jumping Training Men HS130 – Bergisel Schanze Innsbruck
06:00 pm Opening Ceremony – Medal Plaza

Day 2: Thursday, 21st February 2019
09:30 am Nordic Combined Training HS130 – Bergisel Schanze Innsbruck
12:00 am Cross-Country Quali Sprint Ladies/Men F – Cross-Country Arena
02:00 pm Ski Jumping Training HS130 – Bergisel Schanze Innsbruck
02:30 pm Cross-Country Final Sprint Ladies/Men F – Cross-Country Arena

Day 3: Friday, 22nd February 2019
09:30 am Nordic Combined Trial HS130 – Bergisel Schanze Innsbruck
10:00-11:30 am Cross-Country Training – Cross-Country Arena
10:30 am Nordic Combined Ski Jumping HS130 – Bergisel Schanze Innsbruck
11:30-01:00 pm Cross-Country Training – Cross-Country Arena
01:30 pm Ski Jumping Trial HS130 – Bergisel Schanze Innsbruck
02:30 pm Ski Jumping Quali HS130 – Bergisel Schanze Innsbruck
04:15 pm Nordic Combined Individual Gundersen 10km – Cross-Country Arena
06:30 pm Medal Ceremony CC Sprint F Ladies – Medal Plaza
06:45 pm Medal Ceremony CC Sprint F Men – Medal Plaza
07:00 pm Medal Ceremony NC Individual Gundersen 10km (HS130) – Medal Plaza

Day 4: Saturday, 23rd February 2019
09:30 am Nordic Combined Training HS130 – Bergisel Schanze Innsbruck
11:00 am Cross-Country Skiathlon Ladies 15km – Cross-Country Arena
12:30 pm Cross-Country Skiathlon Men 30km – Cross-Country Arena
01:30 pm Ski Jumping Trial Ski Jumping HS130 – Bergisel Schanze Innsbruck
02:30 pm Ski Jumping Ski Jumping HS130 – Bergisel Schanze Innsbruck
06:30 pm Medal Ceremony CC Skiathlon Ladies 15km – Medal Plaza
06:45 pm Medal Ceremony CC Skiathlon Men 30km – Medal Plaza
07:00 pm Medal Ceremony SJ Men HS130 – Medal Plaza

Day 5: Sunday, 24th February 2019
09:15 am Cross-Country Quali Team Sprint Ladies/Men C – Cross-Country Arena
09:30 am Nordic Combined Trial Team Sprint HS130 – Bergisel Schanze Innsbruck
10:30 am Nordic Combined Ski Jumping Team Sprint HS130 – Bergisel Schanze
11:30 am Cross-Country Final Team Sprint Ladies/Men C – Cross-Country Arena
01:30 pm Nordic Combined Team Sprint 2×7,5 km – Cross-Country Arena
01:45 pm Ski Jumping Trial Team Ski Jumping HS130 – Bergisel Schanze
02:45 pm Ski Jumping Ski Jumping Team HS130 – Bergisel Schanze Innsbruck
06:30 pm Medal Ceremony CC Team Sprint Ladies C – Medal Plaza
06:45 pm Medal Ceremony CC Team Sprint Men C – Medal Plaza
07:00 pm Medal Ceremony NC Team Sprint 2×7,5 km (HS130) – Medal Plaza
07:15 pm Medal Ceremony SJ Team Men HS130 – Medal Plaza

Day 6: Monday, 25th February 2019
10:00 am Nordic Combined Training Ski Jumping HS109 – Toni Seelos Schanze
01:00 pm Ski Jumping Training Ladies HS109 – Toni Seelos Schanze
04:00 pm Ski Jumping Training Ladies HS109 – Toni Seelos Schanze
03:30-05:30 pm Nordic Combined Training – Cross-Country Cross-Country Arena

Day 7: Tuesday, 26th February 2019
10:00 am Nordic Combined Training Ski Jumping HS109 – Toni Seelos Schanze
12:30 pm Ski Jumping Training Men HS109 – Toni Seelos Schanze
03:00 pm Cross-Country Ladies 10 km C – Cross-Country Arena
03:15 pm Ski Jumping Trial Ladies HS109 – Toni Seelos Schanze
04:15 pm Ski Jumping Ladies Team HS109 – Toni Seelos Schanze
Medal Ceremony directly after the competition Finish area Ski Jumping
03:30-05:30 pm Nordic Combined Training – Cross-Country Cross-Country Arena

Day 8: Wednesday, 27th February 2019
10:00 am Nordic Combined Training HS109 – Toni Seelos Schanze
02:00 pm Cross-Country Men 15 km C – Cross-Country Arena
03:00 pm Ski Jumping Quali Ladies HS109 – Toni Seelos Schanze
04:00-05:30 pm Nordic Combined Training – Cross-Country Cross-Country Arena
04:15 pm Ski Jumping Ladies HS109 – Toni Seelos Schanze
06:30 pm Medal Ceremony CC 10 km Ladies C – Medal Plaza
06:45 pm Medal Ceremony CC 15 km Men C – Medal Plaza
07:30 pm Ski Jumping Training Men HS109 – Toni Seelos Schanze

Day 9: Thursday, 28th February 2019
10:00 am Nordic Combined Trial Ski Jumping HS109 – Toni Seelos Schanze
11:00 am Nordic Combined Ski Jumping HS109 – Toni Seelos Schanze
01:00 pm Cross-Country Relay Ladies 4×5 km – Cross-Country Arena
03:15 pm Nordic Combined Individual Gundersen 10 km – Cross-Country Arena
03:30 pm Ski Jumping Trial Men HS109 – Toni Seelos Schanze
04:30 pm Ski Jumping Quali Men HS109 – Toni Seelos Schanze
06:30 pm Medal Ceremony SJ HS109 Ladies – Medal Plaza
06:45 pm Medal Ceremony CC Relay Ladies 4×5 km – Medal Plaza
07:00 pm Medal Ceremony NC Individual Gundersen 10 km (HS109) – Medal Plaza

Day 10: Friday, 1st March 2019
10:00 am Nordic Combined Training Ski Jumping HS109 – Toni Seelos Schanze
12:00 am Ski Jumping Training Mixed Team Ladies HS109 – Toni Seelos Schanze
01:00 pm Ski Jumping Training Mixed Team Men HS109 – Toni Seelos Schanze
01:15 pm Cross-Country Relay Men 4×10 km – Cross-Country Arena
03:00 pm Ski Jumping Trial Men HS109 – Toni Seelos Schanze
04:00 pm Ski Jumping Men HS109 – Toni Seelos Schanze
04:00-05:30 pm Nordic Combined Training – Cross-Country Cross-Country Arena
06:30 pm Medal Ceremony CC Relay Men 4×10 km – Medal Plaza

Day 11: Saturday, 2nd March 2019
10:00 am Nordic Combined Trial Team Ski Jumping HS109 – Toni Seelos Schanze
11:00 am Ski Jumping Team Ski Jumping HS109 – Toni Seelos Schanze
12:15 pm Cross-Country Mass Start Ladies 30 km F – Cross-Country Arena
02:45 pm Nordic Combined Team Cross-Country 4×5 km – Cross-Country Arena
03:00 pm Ski Jumping Trial Mixed Team HS109 – Toni Seelos Schanze
04:00 pm Ski Jumping Mixed Team HS109 – Toni Seelos Schanze
06:30 pm Medal Ceremony CC Mass Start Ladies 30 km F – Medal Plaza
06:45 pm Medal Ceremony NC Team 4×5 km (HS109) – Medal Plaza
07:00 pm Medal Ceremony SJ Men HS109 – Medal Plaza
07:15 pm Medal Ceremony SJ Mixed Team (HS109) – Medal Plaza

Day 12: Sunday, 3rd March 2019
01:00 pm Cross-Country Mass Start Men 50 km F – Cross-Country Arena Seefeld
03:30 pm Medal Ceremony CC Mass Start Men 50 km F – Cross-Country Arena
Closing Ceremony

February 18, 2019 (Prince George, BC) – The spectator banks were awash with Canadian flags on day three (18 February) of the World Para Nordic Skiing Championships in Prince George, and hometown hero Collin Cameron had the race of his life to make sure they had a chance to wave them.

When he crossed the line to take gold in the men’s cross-country sprint sitting final, he threw his arms up in the air to enjoy the moment with the local fans on a day many Canadians celebrate a holiday known as ‘Family Day’.

Cameron came into the final as the fastest in qualifying earlier in the day and then powered his way to his best finish and a world title, Canada’s first gold medal in Prince George.

“It’s incredible. I was thinking about this since coming fourth in the sprint races at the (PyeongChang 2018 Winter) Games. I wanted this really bad,” Cameron said.

The Canadian started competing in the sport in 2016 and so far he has had a world championships to remember. He won a silver medal in the biathlon middle distance on Saturday to add to the three Paralympic bronze he picked up at PyeongChang 2018. He said the atmosphere at home has pushed him to new heights.

“It’s extra special for sure. You’ve got all this crowd, the volunteers, the locals out here cheering for you. It gives you a little bit of power that you might need to cross the line.”

Paralympic champion Daniel Cnossen of the USA was second, with Ukraine’s Taras Rad third.

Many of the racers bundled up with scarves over their faces to protect themselves from the bitter cold yesterday. It was the coldest day yet with a temperature of – 20 as the six categories of cross-country sprint races were contested.

Women’s Sitting

The USA’s Oksana Masters made it three golds in three days with another victory as she defended the world title she won at Finsterau 2017.

“It means extra to be able to defend a sprint title. I love sprinting. It was not a smooth process when I first started sprinting. I broke so many poles. But it’s been awesome to continue to improve and to keep bettering myself.”

Masters’ teammate Kendall Gretsch was second to take her third medal of the championships, with Germany’s Andrea Eskau collecting another bronze.

Men’s Standing

Another triple world champion was crowned on Monday, as France’s Benjamin Daviet continues to show his dominance of the men’s standing category.

He won his third world title in an event that he admitted was not his strong suit.

“At the beginning, I wasn’t doing the cross-country sprint. But the coaches pushed me to do it. And lap after lap I got better. And now it’s a pretty good race for me.”

Grygorii Vovchynskyi of Ukraine won the silver, but the real drama came in the race for the bronze medal.

Norway’s Hakon Olsrud did everything he could to catch 17-year-old Taiki Kawayoke of Japan. Olsrud lunged to the line and fell to the ground in an attempt to cross first.

But it wasn’t enough. Kawayoke, who only took up the sport in 2017, showed the strength he has in his legs to capture bronze.

He was born without several fingers and toes, meaning he does not use ski poles.

Women’s Standing

Vilde Nilsen’s stunning debut Worlds continued, as the Norwegian teenager made it two world titles in two days.

The 18-year-old raised her arms as she comfortably came home first, and her confidence is growing.

“I’m almost more shocked than yesterday. It was very long. I think it’s one of the hardest sprint races I have ever done. But my teammates and the coaches were screaming everywhere on the track, so I had a lot of motivation.”

Liudmyla Liashenko of Ukraine was second followed by her teammate Bohdana Konashuk, who outsprinted a couple of other competitors in the final 50 metres for bronze.

Women’s Vision Impaired

Some athletes might get thrown off by a false start.

Not Carina Edlinger of Austria and her guide Florien Rupert Seiwald who used it as extra warm-up time for the women’s vision impaired race.

Edlinger and Germany’s Clara Klug raced down a good portion of the track before they were called back.

“I felt much better afterwards so I can be thankful for the false start,” Edlinger laughed.

There had been doubts the Austrian would compete at all on Monday after requiring medical attention following Sunday’s middle distance race.

“Yesterday they had to bring me back in a wheelchair and they weren’t sure I could race again today. I told them you don’t know me that well. I will come back.”

Oksana Shyshkova of Ukraine and guide Vitaliy Kazakov won silver. Klug and guide Martin Hartyl took the bronze.

Men’s Vision Impaired

Sweden’s Zebastian Modin crossed the line and immediately started to celebrate the defence of his world title in Prince George with guide Emil Joensson – a two-time Olympic medallist.

“Yesterday was awful so I am so happy to bounce back again. I’ve been sick for a long time. The body has been up and down, so I really wanted to leave from here with a medal.”

Yury Holub of Belarus and guide Dzmitry Budzilovich were second, Dmytro Suiarko and guide Vasyl Potapenko third.

Ukraine leads the medal table with 19 medals after only three days.

Tuesday is a training day with competition at the Worlds resuming with the biathlon sprints on Wednesday (20 February).

You can catch live coverage, highlights and results on the official Prince George 2019 website here.

February 17, 2019 (Cogne, ITA) – Canada’s Alex Harvey skied to a solid 10th-place finish in the men’s 15km CL on Sunday in Cogne, Italy as Alexander Bolshunov (RUS) was the clear winner with a 43.7 second margin over Iivo Niskanen (FIN) with Alexander Bessmertnykh (RUS) another 12.2 seconds back in 3rd.

The USA’s Erik Bjornsen had a strong day finishing 16th while Kyle Bratrud was also in the points finishing 26th in sunny conditions over the 3x5km Classic loop in the Aosta valley. A few of the big names were missing, as the skiers are completing their final preparations for the World Championships, which open in Seefeld, with the sprint on Feb. 21.

Rosie Brennan led the charge for the USA in 21st in the women’s 10km CL race while Katherine Stewart-Jones was the top Canadian finisher in 33rd. Kerttu Niskanen of Finland finally claimed another victory – her first in five years. Switzerland’s Nadine Fähndrich took her first World Cup podium in 2nd while Natalia Nepryaeva (Rus) was third.

Men’s results here.
Women’s results here.

February 17, 2019 (Soldier Hollow, Utah) – The US team of Alex Howe, Jake Brown, Joanne Reid and Clare Egan took home 10th in the 20-team mixed relay field with just five spare rounds to close out the BMW IBU World Cup at Soldier Hollow on a high note.

The French team of Quentin Fillon Maillet, Simon Desthieux, Celie Aymonier and Anais Chevalier used just three spare rounds to win the mixed relay in 1:03:51.3. They were 13.5 seconds ahead of second place Germany and 1:02 in front of third place Norway.

Team Canada’s Scott Gow, Aidan Miller, Sarah Beaudry and Emma Lunder finished 12th with two penalties and 13 spare rounds at 3:50.8 behind the winners.

Earlier in the day in the single mixed relay, Canada’s Christian Gow and Rosanna Crawford used 12 spares en route to 12th while Sean Doherty and Susan Dunklee had two penalties and used 13 spare rounds to finish 14th.

U.S. duo of Sean Doherty (Center Conway, N.H.) and Susan Dunklee (Barton, Vt.) were as high as seventh out on the course but eventually faded to 14th, with two penalties and 13 spare rounds, 2:03.1 off the pace.

The Italian duo of Lukas Hofer and Dorothea Wierer, with six spare rounds, captured the single mixed relay in 35:27.9. Austria, with Lisa Theresa Hauser and Simon Eder, had just two spares to finish second, 22.9 seconds back. Third place went to the French team of Antonin Guigonnat and Julia Simon, with one penalty and eight spare rounds, 50.2 seconds back.

“Today was a nice way to cap off our week here in Soldier Hollow,” Doherty said. “We were in great position there and in the end, that’s biathlon. It was a great rehearsal for us and it’s exciting moving forward. It was great to race here and I hope we can come back soon.”

Results here.

February 14, 2019 (Prince George, B.C.) – A medal winning line-up of 13 Canadian athletes will look to successfully defend home turf when they host the top Para-Nordic athletes on the planet for the 2019 World Para-Nordic Skiing Championships in Prince George, B.C., February 15-24.

Led by 10 Paralympians who combined to win a record 16 medals at the 2018 PyeongChang Games, Cross Country Ski de fond Canada named a veteran squad of three women and 10 men who will be on a mission for the podium when the world skis into Western Canada this Friday.

Two of Canada’s most accomplished Winter Paralympians – Brian McKeever (Canmore, Alta.) and his guide Graham Nishikawa (Whitehorse), along with Mark Arendz (Hartsville, P.E.I.) – who carried the Canadian flag into the Opening and Closing Ceremonies respectively one year ago – are ready to add another chapter to their storied careers at the premier race in a non-Paralympic year. McKeever, who has 13 Paralympic gold and 19 World Championship titles, will join the team for the final weekend of the 10-day event. Arendz, who set a record for winning the most medals ever in one Games by a Canadian Winter Paralympian with six last year, will toe the line in cross-country skiing and biathlon events.

“I cannot think of a better way to maintain the team’s current momentum we started at the PyeongChang Games than to compete at a home World Championships,” said Arendz. “The memories and lessons learned from last year’s Games are still fresh, and we will look to build on that positive energy for our preparations going into these Worlds.

“Opportunities to compete on Canadian soil are rare, so it is important to take advantage of this incredible opportunity. Prince George has an incredible venue and volunteer spirit, and I know will provide an amazing experience.”

They will be joined by Paralympic medallists: Collin Cameron (Sudbury, Ont.); Brittany Hudak (Prince Albert, Sask.); Emily Young (Vancouver); and teenager Natalie Wilkie (Salmon Arm, B.C.). Cameron celebrated a triple bronze-medal performance in Korea, while Hudak had a bronze of her own. Young returned home from her first Games with a silver and bronze medal, while a 17-year-old Wilkie collected a complete set of medals.

They will be joined by Paralympic teammates Derek Zaplotinsky (Smokey Lake, Alta.); Yves Bourque (Bécancour, Que.); and Ethan Hess (Pemberton, B.C.). In addition to Hess, two of Canada’s next generation athletes will also make their World Championship debut. Kyle Barber (Lively, Ont.) along with 19-year-old Jesse Bachinsky (Kenora, Ont.) and his guide, Simon Lamarche (Victoria), will look to gain valuable experience while lining up against the world’s best.

“This is an experienced group of athletes who have two clear goals in mind: win medals and gain valuable international race experience for the next generation of athletes,” said Robin McKeever, head coach, Canadian Para-Nordic Ski Team. “Depth is critical to mounting a podium attack, and we have a nice blend of veterans and NextGen athletes capable of putting the maple leaf on the World Championship podium in Nordic sports.”

Earning their spots to represent Canada through the national body’s selection policy, the dynamic squad will arrive into Prince George on February 11. The Canadian Paralympic Committee and CBC/Radio-Canada will provide live streaming coverage of the World Para-Nordic Skiing Championships via the CBC Gem app and cbcgem.ca, as well as on the CPC Facebook page, and the Radio-Canada Sports app and radio-canada.ca/sports as part of its newly-launched Paralympic Super Series.

February 13, 2019 (Canmore, AB) – On Feb. 7 on home snow Canada’s Christian Gow, 25, raced to a career-best 10th in the men’s 15km individual with one penalty at the Canmore leg of the BMW IBU World Cup. Gow has been making steady gains as he claimed 11th in Ruhpolding, Germany in the same event just two weeks earlier. Following Canmore the IBU World Cup moves to Soldier Hollow in Utah Feb. 14-17, and SkiTrax caught up with the Calgary-based athlete for his take on his top performance.

Did the hometown crowd motivate you ?
Christian Gow: The crowd was very motivating! We had support on every part of the course, it was amazing. It felt really special to have so many people out there cheering us on, definitely a highlight of the competitions for me.

Is there more pressure when racing at home ?
CG: I think there can be more pressure racing at home, but there doesn’t have to be. I saw this week as an awesome experience and went into the races feeling like I was in a win-win scenario. I had so much support out there and I was able to just enjoy racing in front of friends and family rather than feel anxious about it.

Tough conditions with such cold – are you used to it based in Canmore ?
CG: I would say that I am not used to this cold. We spend all of our winters in Europe where it is very mild. I am barely in Canada during the winter anymore so no advantage there.

Your shooting continues to impress… what are you doing differently ?
CG: Pavel [Lantsov] has been a fantastic shooting coach and we work together constantly trying to improve. There is a lot of attention to detail and that has helped with my accuracy.

Is the podium your next goal ?
CG: To make the podium is a dream goal of mine. It is getting closer, and with the perfect race I know it is possible.

Good luck and all the best with the rest of the season.
CG: Thanks

February 12, 2019 – In this edition of Talkin’ With the Gravy Train, our host Peter Graves talks with Colin Hilton, President & CEO, Utah Olympic Legacy Foundation. The 2019 BMW Biathlon World Cup is coming to Soldier Hollow Nordic Center in Midway, Utah from February 14-17 and is the first major international biathlon competition to be held at Soldier Hollow since the 2002 Olympic Winter Games.

The site has invested in improvements to the Soldier Hollow Nordic Center in order to host international competitions of this caliber including updates to the snow making system, power capacity and the biathlon target system. An elevated coaching box has been added to bring the biathlon range up to international standards, there’s a new paved parking lot for spectators and other improvements are also underway. The United States Olympic Committee (USOC) recently announced their decision to back Salt Lake City as a possible future Olympic Winter Games destination – read more here.

Interview with Colin Hilton

February 11, 2019 (Lahti, Finland) – The USA’s Ida Sargent and Sophie Caldwell finished 12th in the women’s 6×1.4km Team Sprint CL on Sunday in Lahti, Finland as Sweden 1 with Ida Ingemarsdottier and Maja Dahlqvist took the win over Norway I’s Tiril Udnes Weng and Maiken Caspersen Falla. Evelina Settlin and Hanna Falk from Sweden II finished 3rd. Americans Julia Kern and Kelsey Phinney ended up 14th.

In the men’s 6×1.6km Team Sprint, the USA’s Kevin Bolger and Logan Hanneman were 12th, while Simi Hamilton and Erik Bjornsen were 14th as Emil Iversen and Johannes Hoesflo Klaebo from Norway I claimed the victory over Norway II’s Sindre Bjoernestad Skar and Eirik Brandsdal with Finland I’s Iivo Niskanen and Ristomatti Hakola rounding out the podium. No Canadians were entered for either race.

Results

Women
1. Sweden I
Ida Ingemarsdottier
Maja Dahlqvist

2. Norway I
Tiril Udnes Weng
Maiken Caspersen Falla

3. Sweden II
Evelina Settlin
Hanna Falk

12. USA I
Ida Sarfent
Sophie Caldwell

14. USA II
Kelsey Phinney
Julia Kern

Full results here.

Men
1. Norway I
Emil Iversen
Johannes Hoesflo Klaebo

2. Norway II
Sindre Bjoernestad Skar
Eirik Brandsdal

3. Finland I
Iivo Niskanen
Ristomatti Hakola

12. USA II
Kevin Bolger
Logan Hanneman

14. USA I
Simi Hamilton
Erik Bjornsen

Full results here.

February 09, 2019 (Canmore, Alberta) – As the dust settled on day two of the 2019 BMW IBU World Cup in Canmore, the spotlight focused on Canadian veteran, Brendan Green, who retired after crossing the finish line of the Men’s Relay in 10th, and was greeted by teammates and his fiancé Rosanna Crawford.

“I had trouble to keep from crying during the last loop, with so many coaches, family and friends cheering me on,” said an emotional Green, who began his biathlon career at the Canmore Nordic Centre. “It was really special to end my career here where it all began. I feel really grateful for the career I’ve had and among so many amazing people.”

The 32-year old Olympian and Canadian National Team biathlete celebrated a successful career, highlighted by a bronze medal in the men’s relay at the 2016 IBU World Championships in Oslo, Norway, and a 9th-place finish in the 15km Mass Start at Sochi 2014.

Born and raised in Hay River, Northwest Territories, Green started skiing at the age of three, and transitioned to biathlon at the age of nine. His first Olympic appearance was on home soil at Vancouver 2010, and he would go on to compete at the Sochi 2014 and Pyeonchang 2018 Games.

Green also holds nine Canadian championship medals and a career-best 5thplace finish in the 10km sprint at the IBU World Cup at Antholz, Italy in 2015. The men’s relay in Canmore marked the end to his 11-year career on the World Cup circuit.

SkiTrax joins the biathlon community around the globe in thanking Green for his contributions to the sport and wish him the very best on the road ahead.

Brendan Green Interview with Biathlonworld.com

February 08, 2019 (Canmore, Alberta) – The U.S. women’s team took home their best relay result since the Sochi 2014 Games with an 8th-place finish in the 4×6 km event on Friday at the BMW IBU World Cup in Canmore, Alberta. The foursome of Susan Dunklee, Clare Egan, Joanne Reid and Emily Dreissigacker finished with two penalties and 12 spare rounds at 3:58.4 off the winning pace set by Germany.

“This is our best women’s relay result in five years and we are psyched,” said Dunklee. “I’m proud of how my teammates stayed focused and positive in spite of the polar temperatures. We put together a good biathlon performance. There’s always opportunity in challenge and today we were ready to take advantage of that.”

The U.S team really turned it on during the final three legs of the race, as Egan, Reid, and Dreissigacker moved the team up five positions from 13th to 8th. Dreissigacker brought it home by passing two teams herself, solidifying their top-10 finish on the day.

Canadians Sarah Beaudry, Emma Lunder, Megan Bankes, and Rosanna Crawford struggled throughout the event, getting lapped after the second leg of the race. The team finished 18th overall with six penalties and 11 spare rounds.

The German team of Vanessa Hinz, Franziska Hildebrand, Denise Herrmann and Laura Dahlmeier captured the gold with one penalty and 12 spare rounds, crossing the line in 1:10:16.3. Norway placed second, 30.2 seconds back with two penalties and seven spares, while France came in third with 12 spare rounds, 41.6 seconds behind Norway.

Results here.

February 08, 2019 (Canmore, Alta) – Brendan Green anchored Team Canada to an emotional 10th-place finish in the men’s 4×7.5km relay with two penalties and 18 spare rounds as he celebrated the final race of his career on home snow and was greeted by teammates and his fiancé Rosanna Crawford after crossing the finish line.

Norwegian team of Lars Helge Birkeland, Vetle Sjaastad Christiansen, Erland Bjoentegaard and Johannes Thingnes Boe used just seven spare rounds to seal the victory. France was second at 1:10.4 behind with eight spare rounds while Russia finished third with nine spares at 1:48.4 behind Norway.

Canada was fourth after a strong opening leg by Christian Gow as he handed off to his brother Scott while France led the charge. The Canucks held on to fourth as Norway took over the lead with France and Russia chasing. Jules Burnotte took over for Canada and dropped to sixth as Germany came on strong with Austria contending as well.

Johannes Thingnes Boe cleaned for Norway on the final leg to seal the victory while Fillon Maillet delivered the silver for France with Russia holding to third. Germany battled back to fourth after sitting 12th after the first leg. Canada’s Green crossed the line alone in 10th to an appreciative home crowd.

“It was magical to finish my career in front of family and friends at Canmore where it all began,” said an emotional Green. “I had trouble keeping from crying in the last loop, with so many coaches, family and friends cheering me on.” – more on Green’s career to follow.

The U.S. team of Sean Doherty , Leif Nordgren, Max Durtschi and Travis Cooper was lapped before they could finish the race. Due to Saturday’s weather forecast of temperatures below -25 degrees Celsius, the sprint competitions have been rescheduled for Sunday.

Results here.

February 07, 2019 (Canmore, Alberta) – Canada’s Megan Bankes finished 26th with two penalties in the shortened women’s 12.5km individual at the Canmore Nordic Centre as Norway’s Tiril Eckhoff, with one penalty, flew around the last loop for her career-first win in an individual competition.

Clean-shooting Marketa Davidova of Czech Republic was second at 9.8 seconds back while Italy’s Lisa Vittozzi, also shot clean to finish third at 20.9 seconds behind Eckhoff.

Canadian Rosanna Crawford placed 29th with two missed targets, fellow Canuck Sarah Beaudry was 34th also with two penalties, while Clare Egan was the top American in 43rd with four penalties.

Eckhoff’S victory plus the earlier win of Johannes Thingnes Boe gave Norway a sweep of the first-ever World Cup short individual competitions. The BMW IBU World Cup from Canmore continues on Friday with the men’s and women’s relays.

February 07, 2019 (Canmore, Alberta) – Canada’s Christian Gow raced to a career-best 10th in the men’s 15km individual on home snow with one penalty as the Canmore leg of the BMW IBU World Cup kicked off on Thursday delivering a fab result for the partisan crowd. The top American was Sean Doherty in 27th with two missed targets.

Frigid temperatures forced the shortening of the men’s individual from 20km to 15km as Norway’s Johannes Thingnes Boe shot clean for the win with compatriot Vetle Sjaastad Christiansen finishing second with one penalty at 2:10.2 back, while Russia’s Alexander Loginov placed third with two penalties at 2:41 behind Boe.

“Racing at home is awesome,” said Gow in a post-race interview. “I’ve got tons of people in the stands. They never get to see us race, right, and to have a good race, it’s even better.”

“To be honest, today was the warmest day we had all week,” said Doherty. “It is nice to have winter conditions here in Canmore. Dealing with the cold hasn’t been too difficult. The short individual format is nice. It’s like I used to race as a junior. It was a good call for the conditions today.”

Canada’s Scott Gow placed 40th Leif Nordgren (USA) was 43rd, also with two penalties, Jules Burnotte (Can) finished 57t, Max Durtschi (USA) was 71s, Travis Cooper (USA) placed 73rd and hometown athlete Aidan Miller (Can) was 81st.

Results here.

February 06, 2019 (Canmore, Alta) – Canada’s sharpshooting biathletes are ready to kick off the BMW IBU World Cup in Canmore on Feb. 7. The Canadian squad will welcome the top biathletes on the planet for the BMW IBU Biathlon World Cup #7 at the Canmore Nordic Centre, February 7-10.

Rosanna Crawford is excited about returning to Canmore to compete in front of family and friends, “After two months on the road, 16 races in five countries, I am back in Canmore getting ready for World Cup #7 in my hometown! You’re not going to want to miss this exciting event”

This is the only event of its kind in Canada and is broadcast globally to about 50 million viewers. The event starts with the Individual on Thursday followed by the Relay on Saturday and Mass Start on Sunday.

The men’s team includes five athletes, but Canada has only four starting positions on Thursday and Saturday. The Gow brothers and Burnotte will take part in all competitions, while Canmore native, Aidan Millar will race the Individual and Brendan Green the relay. The overall ranking will dictate who races on Sunday in the mass start.

Coaches: Matthias Ahrens and Pavel Lantsov
Techs: Andrew Chisholm, Raphael Grosset, and Martin Struna.
Massage Therapist: Yvonne Visser

World Cup Schedule:

The Canmore Nordic Centre will host the event. Please go to http://canmorebiathlon.ca/  for detailed race schedules and information.

IBU Cup Tour 3 Team Announced

Biathlon Canada has also named six athletes to the IBU Cup Tour 3 team. Canada’s men’s and women’s IBU Cup teams currently sit in 9^th and 11^th place in the World respectively – a position they are looking to maintain and improve upon over the last few competitions of the season. Athletes will depart for the Open European Championships in Minsk, Belarus in the middle of February. They will then travel to Estonia to compete at IBU Cup 7 before returning home.

The team will be led by Head Coach Airat Aitniakov and Techs, Andrzej Lesnik and Maciej Czuj.

IBU Tour 3 Team:

To follow the Canadian IBU Team go to  https://www.biathlonworld.com/

February 06, 2019 – The U.S. Biathlon International Competition Committee is pleased to announce the teams for the following upcoming events: IBU World Cup (Canmore, Alberta, Canada), Feb. 7-10; IBU World Cup (Salt Lake City, Utah – Soldier Hollow), Feb. 14-17; IBU Open European Championships (Minsk-Raubichi, Belarus), Feb. 20-24; IBU Junior Cup (Torsby, Sweden) March 1-2 & IBU Junior Open European Championships (Sjusjoen, Norway) March 6-10.

IBU World Cup (Canmore, Alberta, Canada), Feb. 7-10

WOMEN
Clare Egan (Cape Elizabeth, Maine)
Susan Dunklee (Barton, Vt.)
Joanne Reid (Palo Alto, Calif.)
Emily Dreissigacker (Morrisville, Vt.)

MEN
Sean Doherty (Center Conway, N.H.)
Leif Nordgren (Marine, Minn.)
Jake Brown (Saint Paul. Minn.)
Max Durtschi (Ketchum, Idaho)
Travis Cooper (Kenai, Alaska)

IBU World Cup (Salt Lake City, Utah – Soldier Hollow), Feb. 14-17

WOMEN
Clare Egan (Cape Elizabeth, Maine)
Susan Dunklee (Barton, Vt.)
Joanne Reid (Palo Alto, Calif.)
Emily Dreissigacker (Morrisville, Vt.)

MEN
Sean Doherty (Center Conway, N.H.)
Leif Nordgren (Marine, Minn.)
Jake Brown (Saint Paul, Minn.)
Alex Howe (Gilford, N.H.)

IBU Open European Championships (Minsk-Raubichi, Belarus), Feb. 20-24

WOMEN
Emily Dreissigacker (Morrisville, Vt.)
Deedra Irwin (Pulaski, Wis.)
Hallie Grossman (South Burlington, Vt.)
Kelsey Dickinson (Winthrop, Wash.)
Siena Ellingson (Minnetonka, Minn.)
Chloe Levins (Rutland, Vt.)

MEN
Vasek Cervenka (Grand Rapids, Minn.)
Alex Howe (Gilford, N.H.)
Max Durtschi (Ketchum, Idaho)
Travis Cooper (Kenai, Alaska)
Raleigh Goessling (Duluth, Minn.)
Jakob Ellingson (Minnetonka, Minn.)

IBU Junior Cup (Torsby, Sweden) March 1-2 & IBU Junior Open European Championships (Sjusjoen, Norway) March 6-10

WOMEN
Chloe Levins (Rutland, Vt.)
Lexie Madigan (Truckee, Calif.)
Emma Stertz (Grand Rapids, Minn.)
Lina Farra (Heber City, Utah)
Maja Lapkass (Anchorage, Alaska)

MEN
Vasek Cervenka (Grand Rapids, Minn.)
Garrett Beckrich (Grand Rapids, Minn.)
Lars Hammernes Leopold (Truckee, Calif.)
Maxime Germain (Anchorage, Alaska)
Bjorn Westervelt (Stowe, Vt.)

January 26, 2019 (Ulricehamn, Sweden) – The USA’s Jessie Diggins was just off the podium in the women’s 10km FR at the World Cup in Sweden as Norway’s Therese Johaug took yet another victory followed by her teammate Astrid Uhrenholdt Jacobsen in second with Ebba Andersson of Sweden on home snow in third.

American Sadie Bjornsen was 15th, Caitlin Petterson was 23rd, Rosie Brennan was 28th, Rosie Frankowski was 42nd and lone Canadian Dahria Beatty was 56th.

“The atmosphere here is unreal,” said Diggins. “I have never had the chance to race in front of 50,000 fans lining every inch of the course before, and it was just incredible energy out there! But the biggest boost of all came right before the race when we watched the World Junior Championship relays and cheered on the girls and guys teams. Seeing the guys win, skiing so well and so gutsy, gave me happy tears! I couldn’t be more stoked for them and it got me really fired up to go as hard as I possibly could out there today.”

Bjornsen had a solid day noting the huge fans on hand. “What an incredibly fun race out there today. I haven’t had that much fun racing in a long time! With 45,000 screaming fans on the side of the trail, it is hard to not enjoy every moment of the experience, even when you are dying.

I wax extra inspired this morning watching my world junior teammates crushing the relay event in Lahti, Finland. The women were 4th, just seconds off the podium, and the men were WORLD CHAMPIONS. Which was so inspiring! So I tried to channel some of their fearless energy in todays race.

“I went out hot, and did my best to hold it. I felt really good and powerful out there. On my second lap, heading up the second climb, my legs absolutely flooded to the gill, and unfortunately I bled some valuable time. I tried to bring myself together for the final kilometers of the race, and was excited to ski the last kilometer with Astrid (who was 3rd today).

“Today, the “final place” of 15th didn’t speak much to me. I have started a heavy training block, with the goal of peaking for World Champs in about 3.5 weeks from now, so I tried not to put much of an expectation on placing this weekend, and simply focus on racing my strengths, and pushing my mind and body as much as I could. I was happy to complete 80% of a great race, and looking forward to finding those final 20% in the weeks leading into the championships. I believe in the plan, and it feels like my body does too. Thank you Sweden for making us feel extra special out there, and reminding us what a special opportunity we have,” she concluded.

Brennan had this to say, “I had to conquer some of my weaknesses out there today which was a good challenge. I didn’t quite do as well in the challenge as I had hoped, but there were some positives to take away. I found some better speed on the second lap which I was happy about and moved up in the end. The atmosphere in Ulricehamn is unbelievable with some 45,000 fans out there cheering today. It’s hard to know what’s going on in the race because it’s so loud so I tried to just feel the energy. I think it will take some races and some hard efforts to get back to where I want after a long break, but I have the time and have a plan. I am really excited to get in yet another relay tomorrow and am hoping to channel some incredible inspiration from the Junior Boys who brought us all to tears today.”

Results here.

January 26, 2019 (Ulricehamn, Sweden) – Canada’s Alex Harvey took home a 9th-place finish in the men’s 15km individual start World Cup start on Saturday in Ulricehamn, Sweden as Maurice Manificat of France took the win. Simen Hegstad Krueger (Nor) was second while fellow Norge Didrik Toenseth crossed the line in third.

“I am really happy,” said the three-time Olympian. “That was my best distance race of the season. The feelings were really good today and feel like I have the arrow pointing in the right direction again.”

The top American was Scott Patterson in 35th.

Results here.

January 26, 2019 (Antholz, ITA) – The USA’s Clare Egan finished 11th just outside of the top 10 in the women’s 10km Pursuit at the BMW IBU World Cup in Antholz on Saturday with two missed targets at 31.9 seconds off the winning pace of Italy’s Dorothea Wierer also with two penalties.

Fellow American Joanne Reid had a banner day finishing 29th for the best pursuit finish of her career placing 29th with three missed targets. Rosanna Crawford led the Canadians in 34th with five penalties.

Laura Dahlmeier of Germany, with one penalty, finished second at six seconds back. Wierer’s teammate, Lisa Vittozzi, with two penalties, was third at 16.2 seconds behind. It was Wierer’s first-ever home-stadium victory

“I’m really happy with my race today,” said Egan about her second-best performance of the season and of her career. “The wind and altitude are always a challenge here, but I took my time on the range and capitalized on the fast glide of my skis to save energy on course. I made a costly mistake on my last shot but still came away with my second-best career result. I’ll take what I learned from today and go for it again tomorrow in the mass start. I can’t wait.”

In the men’s 12.5km pursuit the USA’s Sean Doherty led the North Americans finishing 47th with six penalties. The top Canadian was Justin Burnotte in 54th also with six missed targets.

Norway’s Johannes Thingnes Boe won the men’s pursuit with three penalties in 31:44.7 for his 11th victory of the season. Antonin Guigonnat of France, with one penalty was second, 34.8 seconds back. Another Frenchman, Quentin Fillon Maillet finished third with two penalties, 40.6 seconds behind Boe.

Results here.

January 26, 2019 (Lahti, Finland) – Team USA won historic gold in the U20 Men’s 4x5km Relay at the 2019 Junior World Ski Championships in Lahti, Finland as Luke Jager, Ben Ogden, Johnny Hagenbuch, and Gus Schumacher claimed the victory in 45:34.7.

The US squad, who won relay silver at last year’s Worlds in Switzerland, was always near the front of the race taking the win over Russia by a 3.8-second margin as Schumacher anchored the team to victory. Germany was third another 5 seconds back.

Jager skied the first classic leg and tagged Ogden with a small gap over France and Norway. Ogden extended the lead to over 2 seconds but Hagenbuch was caught in the first skate leg and fell back into third. Schumacher battled back and regained the lead taking no prisoners en route to gold.

Team Canada’s Remi Drolet, Sam Hendry, Xavier McKeever, and anchor Thomas Stephen battled to finish 11th on the day out of 19 teams on the start line.

The US Women had a stellar day as well in their 4×3.3km Relay finishing just off the podium as Mara McCollor, Kendall Kramer, Sydney Palmer-Leger and Novie McCabe were 4th overall.

Norway took the win in a close battle with Russia who settled for the silver at one second behind with Sweden claiming third at 33 seconds back. Team Canada’s Anne-Marie Petitclerc, Jasmine Drolet, Anna Pryce, and Molly Miller finished 11th.

Men’s Relay results here.
Women’s Relay results here.

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