Sara Murphy completed the trip from Down Under to top of the podium, winning the Biathlon Alberta Calforex Cup, Sunday (Jan. 8) at the Canmore Nordic Centre.
After two years of school, Murphy – New Zealand’s top biathlete – didn’t miss a beat in the race, which is one of three qualifiers for the Canadian national biathlon championship.
“Hitting nine of 10 was really nice in the race today. This is my first race of the season, so it was good to start strong,” Murphy said.
She finished the 7.5 kilometre course in 25 minutes, only missing one target for a triumphant return to Canmore’s racing scene.
Following the 2010 Olympics, where she raced for New Zealand, Murphy returned to her home country to study Adventure Tourism management. However, she’s now back in the biathlon range, shooting for international glory. The transition has been eased by the welcome she receives in Canmore, she said.
“It’s amazing when you’re not studying full-time. It’s feeling really nice to be training again,” Murphy said. “I’m happy I went to school after the Olympics. I have my education and it’s behind me. Now I can get back to racing.”
The race was a test for Murphy, who now wants to compete in two IBU cups (one in Canmore) and the world championships in Germany this year.
The goal now is to represent New Zealand again at the 2014 winter Olympic games.
“I was going to reassess after these races. Now that I’m alright, I’ll focus on having a top 30 result (at the IBU races).”
She’ll do so with no coach and on her own training program, but has plenty of support.
“I have a really good support system. My parents really help, and Richard Boruta helps,” Murphy said.
Murphy edged Karen Messenger by 18 seconds, despite the fact Messenger shot clean on the day – a first for the Canmore athlete. Messenger used a happy dance – a little hip wiggle between her third and fourth shots – on the range to refocus and shoot clean.
“I got kinda excited after hitting the first three and I had to have a mental break for a second. So I did a little dance, refocused and it worked,” Messenger said.
She did so in tough conditions, with blustery wind wreaking havoc on the shooting range. Warmer temperatures made the skiing harder as well, but it was still a breakthrough performance for Messenger.
“It was harder skiing. Today in shooting I realized it is exactly like training. I can hit them all in practice, so I can hit them in competition,” Messenger said.
The day was also strong for Emma Lodge, who won the junior women’s 7.5 km sprint with a time of 27:21.3, 48 seconds ahead of Keely MacCulloch.
Lodge, who is originally from Fort McMurray but moved to Canmore when she was 13, said everything came together despite swirling winds.
“It’s nice to finally have everything click. It’s been windy all winter. The coaches have been drilling the whole wind procedure to get it right,” Lodge said.
She’s come close to the top of the podium in other races this year, but finally put it together on Sunday, shooting seven for 10.
“I just relaxed coming into race, just decided to go for it. I like the later season races. I’ve got my groove on more.”
She’s off to the world juniors in Finland later this year, which will be the focus of her season.
“It’s my first time. I hope to be competitive there,” The Canmore Nordic Ski Club athlete said.
On Saturday (Jan. 7), Murphy posted her first win in the 15 km individual race, however wasn’t happy with the fact she missed seven targets. Kathryn Stone proved to be the second fastest athlete on the track. The Biathlon Alberta Training Centre Athlete tamed her own shooting demons, shooting 14 for 20. The tough conditions meant her correction was 25 to the left, a massive adjustment.
“I used to shoot left-handed, but a month and a half ago I switched to right handed. I’m right-handed, but left eye dominant and there’s a debate about which is more important,” Stone said.
It’s Stone’s first podium of the season, and a solid result all around.
“I was a little more focused and relaxed. I worked on my technique on skiing and relaxing on shooting.”
