February 23, 2012 (Kontiolahti, FIN) – Four young Canucks joined forces, each skiing 7.5-km with two stops at the range, to finish sixth in the men’s relay at the Junior Biathlon World Championships in Kontiolahti, Finland on Thursday.

Anchored by Canada’s golden boy, Kurtis Wenzel of Calgary who won the individual race earlier at the World competitions, the team of Macx Davies, of Canmore, Alta.; Calgary’s Aaron Gillmor; and Jasper Mackenzie, of Kelowna, B.C., clocked a time of 1:25:16.0 in the men’s 4×7.5-kilometre relay.

Norway finished on top with a time of 1:21:50.4, while the Czech Republic captured the silver medal with a time of 1:23:13.9, and Russia finished third at 1:23:14.0.  Team USA was made up of Eathan Dreissigacher, Casey Smith, Raileigh Goessling, & Jacob Prince finished 14th overall with a time of 1:31:06.

In the women’s junior relay, where each athlete skis 6km, Canada’s three-women squad of Quebec’s Audrey Vaillancourt, along with Canmore, Alta. residents, Emma Lodge and Emm Lunder, combined to finish 14th at 1:08:25.1.

Norway won the women’s event with a time of 1:01:37.6. Italy was second at 1:01:54.2, while the Ukraine won the bronze medal with a time of 1:02:01.6.  Kelly Kjorlien, Kimberly Del Frate, & Amanda Del Frate made up Team USA and finished with a time of 1:17:11 for 18th place.

The World Championships continue with the men’s and women’s youth sprint events.

Junior Women 3×6 km Relay results HERE.
Junior Men 4×7.5 km Relay results HERE.