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Zina Kocher Fires into Fourth Spot in World Cup Biathlon Pursuit

—Jean-Philippe Le Guellec storms into 13th spot in men’s pursuit competition—

POKLJUKA, Slo.—Canada’s Zina Kocher had the best shooting day of her life en route to posting the second-best result of her career when she was fourth in a Biathlon World Cup pursuit competition in Pokljuka, Slovenia on Sunday.

The 27-year-old Kocher took advantage of fast skis and shooting 20 out of 20 for the first time in her biathlon career to clock a time of 35 minutes 09.7 seconds in the women’s 10-kilometre pursuit competition.

“I can’t believe it. Of course I wanted to get onto the podium today, but going 20 for 20 feels like winning the gold,” said Kocher, who started the day nine spots back of the leader after finishing 10th in Saturday’s sprint competition. “I focused all of my energy into being in a bubble. I kept telling myself to stay calm and breathe, and I just did my thing. I’m ecstatic.”

In the pursuit competition, the winner of the Saturday’s sprint starts first, with the remainder of the field up to the top-60 starting in the order and time they finished behind that leader. The pursuit is one of the most exciting and spectator friendly events on the Biathlon World Cup, highlighted with lead changes and athletes clinging on for survival.

Kocher has battled through the last two seasons with illness and regaining her top form that made her the first Canadian to podium in a World Cup biathlon competition since Myriam Bedard did more than a decade ago. She finished third in an individual event three years ago in Sweden, and has steadily climbed her way back to the top of the international standings over the last month.

“I felt like it has been coming and I’ve taken a more aggressive approach last weekend,” said Kocher. “This week has filled me with confidence and faith knowing that I am back to my old self. This is an excellent Christmas present and a great way to head into January and the Olympic year.”

Russia’s Svetlana Sleptsova finished on top of the women’s podium with a time of 34:03.2, while Germany’s Magdalena Neuner was second at 34:39.5 and Anna Bogaliy-Titovets, also of Russia, was third after stopping the clock at 34:46.4. Kocher was the only woman in the top-five to shoot clean in her four trips to the range.

Meanwhile Jean-Philippe Le Guellec, of Shannon, Que., stormed his way back into the top of the pack in the men’s 12.5-kilometre pursuit. The 24-year-old Le Guellec, who started in 35th spot, climbed his way to 13th after posting a time of 35:57.6. Le Guellec who has celebrated a handful of career-best performances this year only missed two shots on the range.

Russia’s Evgeny Ustyugov also missed two shots while setting a gold-medal winning time of 34:50.9. Roland Lessing, of Estonia, was second at 35:00.2, while Austria’s Simon Eder was third with a time of 35:01.8.

Three other Canadians also qualified to compete in the women’s and men’s pursuit on Sunday. Megan Tandy, of Prince George, B.C., was 35th at 39:16.6, while Megan Imrie, of Falcon Lake, Man., was 51st (41:57.8) in women’s action. Brendan Green, of Hay River, N.W.T., was the only other Canadian male in the field and finished 54th at 39:50.3.

Biathlon Canada, the governing body for biathlon in the country, oversees the Canadian Championships, Eastern and Western Canadian Championships, and North American Cups held in Canada. The organization’s mandate is to provide national level programs for the continuous development of biathlon athletes from the grassroots to the elite level. For more information on Biathlon Canada, please visit their Web site at www.biathloncanada.ca on the Internet.

Complete Results and Live Race Action Can Be Viewed at www.biathlonworld.com

Women’s Top-Five Results:

1. Svetlana Sleptsova, RUS, (0+1+0+1), 34:03.2; 2. Magdalena Neuner, GER, (1+1+1+0), 34:39.5; 3. Anna Bogaliey-Titovets, RUS, (0+1+1+0), 34:46.4; 4. Zina Kocher, Red Deer, Alta., CAN, (0+0+0+0), 35:09.7; 5. Teja Gregorin, SLO, (0+1+0+0), 35:31.7.

Canadian Results:

35. Megan Tandy, Prince George, B.C., (1+1+0+1), 39:16.6; 51. Megan Imrie, Falcon Lake, Man., (0+1+3+2), 41:57.8.

Men’s Top-Five Results:

1. Evgeny Ustyugov, RUS, (0+1+1+0), 34:50.9; 2. Roland Lessing, EST (0+0+0+0), 35:00.2; 3. Simon Eder, AUT, (1+0+0+1), 35:01.8; 4. Dominik Landertinger, AUT, (2+0+2+2), 35:03.5; 5. Arnd Peffer, GER, (0+0+0+1), 35:03.5.

Canadian Results:

13. Jean-Philippe Le Guellec, Shannon, Que., (0+1+1+0), 35:57.6; 54. Brendan Green, Hay River, N.W.T., (3+2+2+0), 39:50.3.