A dogfight is on for the final two spots on Biathlon Canada’s world cup men’s and women’s team, with the final decision resting on Friday’s (Nov. 13) selection race at the Canmore Nordic Centre.
With world beaters Nathan Smith, Rosanna Crawford, Meagan Tandy and Brendan Green pre-leading the charge, and a mixture of young talent and veteran experience charging for recognition, Canada is set to field its most competitive biathlon squad in years.
“We have athletes who have been on the team for a long time, athletes who are at the top of the world, and then we have a group of young athletes who have come on the team in the last two years, and they are really closing the gap,” said head coach Roddy Ward. “It’s quite exciting. It’s making our program really competitive for those spots on the world cup.”
Zina Kocher, Emma Lunder, Julia Ransom, Audrey Vaillancourt, Sarah Beaudry and Erin Yungblut are all chasing the final two spots on the world cup women’s team, while Scott Gow, Christian Gow, Macx Davies, Scott Perras, Matt Neumann, Matthew Hudec, Carsen Campbell and Matthew Strum are all fighting for the final two spots on the men’s team.
“We have a lot of them in the game,” Ward said. “We have a whole bunch of fighters after those last two spots. It’s going to be a battle. It’s looking like it could be almost anybody.”
Firing on all cylinders, the biathlon program is arguably at its deepest point in a decade.
“This is the most depth we’ve had at the highest level,” Ward said. “We’ve had depth in the past, where we’ve had athletes battle to be in the top 60. Now we have some at the very top, and some who can be in the top 30. It’s a good number. Everyone is a bit nervous. Everyone is driven to compete. Nothing is gifted to them.”
Crawford took the first trials race on Tuesday at the Canmore Nordic Centre, finishing in 22:16, followed by Kocher (22:50.1) and Ransom (22:55.1), giving them the edge heading into Friday’s race, but Ward said several factors play into the decision.
“Selection is based on coach’s discretion. We look at in-season results, some time trials through the year, some testing … but mostly we look at the Tuesday and Friday races. Those are factored in the most. We look at last year’s results, too. We want to field the best team at the end of November,” Ward said.
On the men’s side, Smith took the win in 24:41.1, 45 seconds ahead of Scott Gow. Brendan Green was third, and Christian Gow fourth.
Athletes who don’t make the first world cup tour are likely to compete on the IBU Cup, the feeder circuit for the world cup series. Throughout the season, Ward said he expects athletes to bounce back and forth between the two.
“We will select for the first world cup, but there is always competition between the world cup and IBU cup athletes. We can switch them out. The goal is to always field the best world cup team. The big prize is who will race the world cup in Canmore this February, and who will race at world championships. It’s a constant battle to be among the top four or five athletes,” Ward said.
Many of the battles are between younger athletes and seasoned veterans, which Ward said is creating a healthy competitive atmosphere.
“The older athletes are good about showing the young one the ropes, and the young ones bring energy. They have been competitive in a good way, and the races start to matter a lot, now,” Ward said.
The athletes will race an extended Frozen Thunder course at the Nordic Centre on Friday morning, and announce the team shortly after the results are in.
“If you win the races, you do yourself a gigantic favour,” Ward said.
