Gow cracks top 10 in Czech Republic

Posting the top result of his young career, biathlete Scott Gow cracked the top 10 in the 15 kilometre sprint at the world junior biathlon championships in Nove Mesto, Czech Republic last weekend.

“I was so happy when I crossed the finish line to see myself in ninth position. I still can’t believe it,” Gow said. “My skiing was as strong as it’s been all week and my shooting was really solid, so I’m happy with my entire performance.”

Canmore’s Gow is a rookie on the men’s senior development team, and the ninth-place finish comes on the heals of two 16th-place finishes earlier in the week. The 20-year-old stopped the clock at 43:29.2, and shot 17 for 20 on the range.

Athletes are penalized one minute for every shot missed in the individual race. Simon Desthieux of France won the competition (41:36.6), followed by Benedikt Doll of Germany (42:03.6.)

Gow’s result was the top Canadian finish at the world junior championships, as athletes will now gear up for upcoming national championships and Canada Winter Games competition. Gow will be the team Alberta flag bearer at the winter games.

Canmore’s Emma Lunder finished 52nd in the women’s 12.5 km pursuit. Her teammates, though, did manage to crack the top 15, as Audrey Vaillancourt finished 11th (44:59.8), missing only one shot. Yolaine Oddou was 13th (45:23.7).

Lunder’s top result of the championship came early, when she posted a 31th-place finish and was the top Canadian in the junior women’s 7.5 km race.

Stuart Harden did the Bow Valley proud in the youth category. The 16-year-old skier finished 18th in the individual competition with a time of 40:29.4 in the 12.5 km individual sprint. The result was his best of the world championships, and an improvement on the 44th-place finish he posted in the 7.5 km sprint.

“I was definitely pleased with my race today and have to thank our wax techs for great skis,” Harden said. “I’m a little disappointed that I missed two prone shots, but was happy with my standing shooting. This is my best result of the competition, so it met this goal and I’m proud of that.”

Pavel Hancharou of Belarus won the event with a time of 35:54.3.

Macx Davies of Canmore was 34th, while Christian Gow was 53rd. Julia Ransom of Kelowna was 36th in the women’s race, while Danielle Vrielink of Calgary was 47th.

Earlier in the week, Davies posted a 19th-place finish in the youth men’s sprint.