January 12, 2012 (Nove Mesto, Czech Republic) – It was another strong day for Canada as Jean-Philippe Le Guellec and Brendan Green landed top-20 finishes in the men’s 20km individual race in Nove Mesto won by Russia’s Andrei Makoveev who dominated the competition.

Le Guellec, a 26-year-old two-time Olympian from Shannon, Quebec, missed only two shots in four rounds of shooting to claim 17th with a time of 50:18.7 while Green from Hay River, N.W.T. was 19th. Green missed three shots and clocked a time of 50:32.7.

“Today was a pretty good day. We arrived in Europe five days ago, and I’m never sure what to expect with how my body will handle jet lag. It always seems to vary, but today things worked out well,” Green told Biathlon Canada. “The skiing felt tough, but I actually had one of my best skis this season which was sweet, and I was able to match it with decent shooting.”

Makoveev was the only competitor to shoot clean to claim his first World Cup win of the year finishing on top with a time of 47:19, just under a minute ahead of Norwegian star, Emil Hegle Svendsen, in second. Sweden’s Bjorn Ferry landed on the podium in third.

American Lowell Bailey finished in 41st position ahead of Calgary’s Nathan Smith in 56th and the American duo of Tim Burke and Russell Currier who finished in 63rd and 64th respectively. Rounding out the North Americans was Canadian Scott Perras in 66th place and American Jay Hakkinen in 87th.

The Biathlon World Cup continues in Nove Mesto on Friday with the sprint competitions.

Full results HERE.