Fans, funders and federal agencies have made their message to Biathlon Canada abundantly clear: win an Olympic medal in Sochi.
And with the talent the team has assembled this season, they have a shot of bringing home Olympic hardware.
J.P. LeGuellec, Scott Perras, Rosanna Crawford and Zina Kocher have met criteria for the Olympic team, while several others are chasing a spot by late December. Several sharpshooters are close to earning a trip, including Brendan Green, Megan Imrie, Scott Gow, Nathan Smith, Audrey Vaillancourt and Megan Heinicke.
To qualify, athletes must post a top 20 finish in a world cup race. If no other athletes meet those criteria, domestic races will be held in Canmore on Dec. 20-21 to fill out the Olympic roster.
“I’m really happy with how things have been. We’ve had no major injuries or health issues. The athletes are looking really good and strong. The work is done. Now we’re in the fine-tuning phase,” said head coach Matthias Ahrens.
Biathlon Canada’s coaching staff are thrilled with the team’s progress, as the athletes are faster and healthier than years prior.
“Right now, everyone is skiing well. They’re showing personal bests on the rollerski treadmill. That’s a good indication at the moment,” said assistant coach Roddy Ward.
“There has been a focus on monitoring the athletes to ensure their training load is right. (Head coach) Matthias Ahrens has been very disciplined with that, watching all the athletes on the team. He’s done a great job,” Ward said.
While the core group appears set for Sochi, there are still several spots in play. Ahrens said everyone is in contention.
“The competition will be fierce. Really, everybody from the youngest to the oldest has a chance,” Ahrens said.
Due to a lack of funding, Canadian biathletes must pay out of their own pockets to be a part of the national team and represent their country this year, resulting in a slew of fundraising campaigns over the summer months. It’s been a challenge, but the biathletes appear focused on the task at hand.
“Right now I’m just training, so it feels like every other year, but every once in a while your mind wanders to those two weeks in February,” Perras said. “I’ve been working for the last 10 years (to reach the Olympics). It’s nice to finally have that payoff and show everyone in Saskatchewan just what I’ve been doing.”
Perras crept into the top 10 on the world cup last season, and is poised to improve again this year. Partnered with world cup gold medallist LeGuellec, they form a powerful one-two punch on the men’s side.
Brendan Green appears ready to return to the world cup scene, recovering from a back injury that kept him on the sidelines for much of last year. His top world cup finish was an eighth place, and coaches are confident he’s capable of more.
“It’s exciting to see Brendan recover. He’s done amazing work in rehab. In my opinion, he’s at a higher level than in 2011/2012,” Ahrens said.
Kocher is the most experienced Canadian biathlete on the national team. This will be her third Olympic Games and she’s put in a strong training season full of personal best results. She also trained with the cross-country ski team for a camp this summer.
“This time, I have a lot more experience and idea about what I need before an Olympic Games. We’re focusing just on that. I’ll spend all of January here in Canmore training,” Kocher said.
She usually has her best results in December, so her coaches have altered her plan this year so she hopefully peaks in February. It’s a lot different from her first games in 2006 where, as a 23 year old, she would get excited every time she saw the Olympic rings.
“I didn’t know what to expect. I was incredibly excited and didn’t know what to expect.”
Now, she’s trying to approach it like any other race, peaking at the right time.
“When I come off training and am excited to race, that’s when I usually excel,” Kocher said. “When I’m ready to go, I’m ready to go.”
This will be the second winter games for Crawford, who competed in Vancouver as a 19-year-old. That was a great learning experience, but now she’s aiming for better results.
“Last time the main goal was make it to the Olympics. Results weren’t that important. I was in the 70s. I know I have to be ready for February. I can put my total focus on being ready for February.”
Crawford focused her early training on hill climbs in preparation for the Sochi course, while improving her one-skate technique working with Ward and technique coach Peter Larsson.
“The course was really hard last year. Those climbs are long. Usually on the world cup, you don’t climb for longer than 45 seconds. These are a minute and a half at an 18 per cent grade,” Crawford said.
She’s benefitted from the previous Olympic experience, which means she’s approaching these games differently.
“I’m definitely more calm. Of course I want to have a personal best at the Olympics, but I think this could be a big year for me on the world cup in general. I’m hoping for some top 10 finishes,” Crawford said.
Imrie is coming off a tough season where she was hit with a mysterious ailment that kept her off the world cup team. She needs a top 30 finish to qualify for the Olympics, and is also more relaxed heading into the Sochi games.
“Everything is different this time. I know what to expect. I’ve been around the competition circuit for a long time. There aren’t as many surprises. It’s not a home game, so the hype is not the same. That’s much nicer for the athletes.”
She’s being cautious this year, trying not to overtrain for the big race.
“After last winter, I could continue to blow myself up or be diligent in resting. This year I’m in better communication with my coaches and physiologists, so I’m also in a better position to perform,” Imrie said.
“Things are looking very bright for Megan. She’s looking good and strong,” Ahrens said.
