SLOVENIA – In the first race of the biggest competition of the year, Canada's top mixed biathlon team fought and shot its way into eighth place.
The team, consisting of Christian Gow, Scott Gow, Nadia Moser, and Emma Lunder kicked things off Wednesday (Feb. 10) in the 4X7.5 kilometre mixed relay at the IBU World Championships in Pokljuka, Slovenia.
Canada finished at a time of 1:22:25.3 and shot 0+6 overall.
After two strong legs from the Gows, the Canucks were in fourth place and contending for an elusive podium. In the third leg, Moser held fourth until her second shooting on the range, but then the intense pace of the relay started factoring in. She handed off to Lunder in 11th spot and the nation's top woman biathlete battled back into the top 10 to take eighth.
Canada crosses the finish line in 8th place! What a great day for the team! #pokljuka2021 pic.twitter.com/RY0bY8Hrn4
— Biathlon Canada (@biathloncanada) February 10, 2021
Coming in first was Norway at a time of 1:20:19.3, followed by Austria and Sweden.
After the race, the Gow brothers appeared on social media to express good cheer about the result.
"The wax techs did an excellent job on the skis, so we were able to keep up with the rest of the countries," said Scott. "Shooting for the whole team was really good overall, and [I'm] just very happy and pleased with our mixed relay's eighth place."
Up next, the men's and women's sprints take place Friday (Feb. 12).
