OBERHOF, Germany – The last active member of Canada’s 2016 bronze medal winning world championship relay team, Christian Gow is no stranger to the weight of a big competition atmosphere.
At 29 years old, the country’s top male biathlete is flirting with being nearly two decades into the sport, which has seen two trips to the Olympics, six world championships, and helping to win Canada's first-ever men’s relay medal at a worlds.
On Wednesday (Feb. 8), Gow began a seventh world championship, the most of any active Canadian. He’s still hungry for big results like in the past; however, it’s been a different looking season for the veteran sniper.
“I think, for me, that bigger reason why I do the sport in the first place is because I enjoy it and I’m passionate about it and I think that was getting more in the background,” said Gow.
The past few years were an intense ride, challenging athletes with new protocols and procedures during the gruelling COVID-19 seasons and then the high pressure of the Beijing Games that followed. The national team has changed this season, too, with retirements from Olympians Scott Gow, Jules Burnotte, and Sarah Beaudry, as Biathlon Canada sets its scope on the future.
In the off-season, Gow, the Canmorite by way of Calgary, took a much-needed extended break. He returned fresher and more motivated for the new season. However, a few illnesses caught up with Gow – one prior to the season and one during – and the top biathlete’s skiing suffered because of it.
Up until mid-January, Gow hadn’t finished inside the top-30 in solo races, unusual for the Canuck who less than 12 months prior finished with an Olympic-best 12th in sprint.
Until only recently did he finish in the top-20 this season, a spirited 17th place (9/10) in the 10km sprint in mid-January in Antholz, Italy. He followed it up with a 22nd place (16/20) in the 12.5km.
Despite Gow’s skiing being off, his shooting stayed consistent, and he has knocked down targets at high accuracy at 88 per cent in prone and 85 per cent standing. Gow also is usually one of the fastest to go through five bullets, a major advantage in gaining valuable seconds on the competition.
Gow can say he’s feeling sharper ahead of worlds. He’s found his extra gear he’s missed throughout most of the season and he is set up to hit his athletic peak at the perfect time.
“Antholz was a turning point for a lot of people on the team. It obviously felt that way for me,” said Gow.
“My goal is still to reach the podium. That’s one of the main goals that kept me wanting to pursue biathlon for this season, so I hope that’s on the horizon.”
National team head coach Justin Wadsworth said despite the rough patches this season, his veteran pupil Gow is built for big competitions.
“If you look at Christian, his history has always been a big competition athlete,” said Wadsworth. “I feel like he’s on an upswing right now; he’s skiing really well and shooting as good as he always shoots, just with ease, so I think he’s poised to have a good championships coming up.”
World champs begin Wednesday (Feb. 8), starting with the exciting mixed relay featuring two men and two women from each country. Canada’s relay team of Gow, Emma Lunder, Adam Runnalls, and Nadia Moser finished eighth.
Canada’s top biathlete has been sharpshooter Lunder, who has found the top-10 three times this season, including a narrow miss of the podium in fourth in early December.
Also on Canada’s world championship roster are Emily Dickson, Benita Peiffer, Trevor Kiers, and Logan Pletz.
The Canadian squad is a mix of veteran and younger athletes. The majority of the 2022-23 season has showcased the young and more experienced biathletes on the big stage, a tactical move by Biathlon Canada to develop athletes for the next two Olympic cycles.
“It definitely was a different kind of training year, but the team has gelled nicely and really supported each other,” said Wadsworth. “The majority of the team had PBs at some point this year, so that’s what you’re looking for.”
A full world championships schedule can be found at www.biathlonworld.com.
