Scott Gow posts Canada's best-ever finish in Olympic men's 20K biathlon

Scott Gow registered Canada's best-ever finish in the Olympic men's 20-kilometre individual biathlon on Tuesday at the National Biathlon Centre in Zhangjiakou, China.

The 31-year-old from Calgary skied to a fifth-place finish — just 34 seconds shy of a podium — improving on his 14th place from the 2018 PyeongChang Games.

"Almost a perfect race," Gow said, as he went 19-for-20 shooting. Each miss adds a one-minute penalty to his total time.

"I'm happy with how I managed the range and the wind conditions. Like I said, almost perfect."Gow's fifth-place finish also ties Canada's best result in any Olympic men's biathlon event.

Jean-Philippe Le Guellec finished in fifth in the 10-kilometre sprint at the 2014 Games in Sochi.

Gow also raced in the mixed relay race on Saturday, where Canada finished in 14th, and he will be return to action on Saturday in the 10-kilometre sprint.

"Two races now on this course, I think I have a really good understanding of how to race it, how it feels, and I can only get better going forward to the next races,"

Gow said."Today is our longest event, so get a good recovery tomorrow and the next day, and then I have to give it everything in the sprint race for a good pursuit qualification."

Gow's brother Christian finished in 24th place. Adam Runnalls, also from Calgary, finished in 33rd, and Jules Burnotte from Sherbrooke, Que., finished in 36th.