GERMANY – Christian Gow is shooting the best percentage of his career and it’s moving the Canuck quickly up in the standings and teasing podium potential in the new year.
To start 2021, Canada’s top male biathlete has looked razor-sharp, finishing in the top 15 individuals for the first time this season and contending for a medal in single mixed relay.
But it’s been a consistent flow for most of the world cup season for Gow, who trains out of Canmore, after an off-season with an emphasis on readjusting his mental game.
“Last year, my shooting percentage took a small dip over previous race seasons. However, it didn't have anything to do with technical ability, it was due to lack of confidence and mental strength,” said Gow in an email to the Outlook.
“To tackle that this year, we put a lot more emphasis on our mental training program, doing daily mental training with the intention of becoming one of the strongest teams from a mental perspective.
“That work has paid off big time. I have noticed a big difference in my ability to handle pressure, stress, and expectations both in the range and on the course. My technical ability in shooting has improved again this year in the summer, but the biggest change has been my mental game."
When Gow pulls the trigger this season, he's shot 93 per cent standing and 88 per cent in prone for a 90 per cent overall rating this season. It’s the best overall shooting of his career, improving on just under 89 per cent in 2015-16, and way up from last season at just under 81 per cent.
Norway’s Johanne Thingnes, who’s ranked first overall in world cup points among men, is shooting 85 per cent overall this season, in comparison.
Of the top 10 ranked men, only two have a higher overall shooting percentage than Gow.
The Canadian marksman’s target precision was on full display last weekend (Jan. 8-10) at 2021’s first IBU world cup in Oberhof, Germany.
Gow finished 29th in the 10-kilometre sprint, where he shot 9/10, and then had a remarkably strong follow up the next day by jumping ahead 15 spots after shooting clean in the 12.5 km pursuit to finish 14th.
“I was pumped to do that in the pursuit with strong skiing and a perfect shooting performance as well,” he said. “It feels great to be back fighting near the top of the field and I am happy to have put together a near perfect day.”
The top-20 result was Gow’s second of the season, and Biathlon Canada’s head coach Justin Wadsworth said Gow is reaching a pretty high level of the sport.
“It’s just nice to see both he and Emma [Lunder] challenging for the top 10 and really challenging the world’s best,” he said.
In the single mixed relay event, Gow and partner Lunder reignited excitement around the nation’s top male and female biathlon duo with a sixth place.
With the podium within grasp, it’s not a matter of if, but when the pair will medal, said Gow.
“I know that different courses will play more to our strengths and if we keep this consistency I know we can make it onto the podium,” Gow said. “It will have to be a great day and both of us will have to deliver excellent performances, but I know that it's possible.”
Coach Wadsworth showed confidence in Canada’s big shots, too.
“I think they’re capable of getting on the podium on the right day and they’ve both been really professional in executing everything well in training and in racing, so it's been fun to watch their progression this year,” he said.
Up next, the IBU World Cup returns to Oberhof between Jan. 13-17.
