March 19, 2013 (Whistler, B.C.) – National Team athletes, Audrey Vaillancourt and Nathan Smith, stole the show for the third straight day at the North American and Canadian Biathlon Championships, winning the women’s and men’s mass starts events in Whistler, B.C.

Quebec’s Vaillancourt took advantage of a perfect day on range in an event that punishes athletes with a one-minute penalty for every missed shot to win her third straight women’s national title of the week. The 21-year-old Vaillancourt clocked a golden time of 34:54.0 in the women’s 12.5-kilometre mass start competition.

Audrey Vaillancourt © Jim Hegan

Vaillancourt edged out World Cup teammate, Megan Heinicke, of Prince George, B.C. in a sprint to the finish. Heinicke, who missed just one shot, settled for the silver with a time of 34:54.2. Corrine Malcolm, of the United States, climbed onto the podium for the second time this week, claiming the bronze medal at 36:38.2 (1+0+1+0).

Emma Lodge, of Canmore, Alta., won the junior women’s 10-kilometre mass start event. The 20 year old, who is a third-year junior on the national squad, missed three targets in four bouts of shooting to post a time of 31:18.8.

Meanwhile, Calgary’s Nathan Smith bounced back after he was knocked off the top of the podium with a 30 second penalty in the pursuit race to win Tuesday’s 15-kilometre men’s mass start.

Nathan Smith on his way to the mass start title. © Heinz Ruckemann

Smith, 27, hammered the field by nearly one minute after crossing the finish line in a time of 37:53.0 (1+0+0+2). Marc-André Bédard, of Valcartier, Que., was the next best in the field, celebrating the silver medal with a time of 38:37.9 (0+0+4+0). American Bill Bowler rounded out the men’s podium at 39:20.0 (0+1+2+1).

“I missed that first shot prone and was a little concerned, but after that I felt comfortable and in control,” said Smith, who added snow conditions were icy but calm winds made for ideal shooting conditions. “I know I didn’t win the pursuit race, but I feel like I’m in great shape and accomplished what I came here to do.”

Macx Davies, of Canmore, Alta., won his third junior men’s national title in as many races this week. Davies captured the gold this time in the junior men’s 12.5-kilometre mass start after stopping the clock at 32:03.0 (0+1+2+2).

Full results HERE.