Kurtis Wenzel – FasterSkier

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Bankes Gets Gold #2 for Canada with Perfect Shooting at IBU Junior Worlds

Alex KochonFebruary 23, 2017

(Note: This article has been updated to include comments from Megan Bankes.) Just to review: 2004: Jean-Philippe “JP” Le Guellec becomes first Canadian to win an International Biathlon Union (IBU) Youth World Championships title (in the youth men’s sprint). 2009: Kurtis Wenzel becomes second Canadian to win at IBU Youth Worlds, with a gold medal in the youth men’s sprint. 2012: Wenzel does it again as a junior, winning the 15-kilometer individual at IBU Junior...

Biathlon Biathlon Canada General Juniors News Racing US Biathlon

The Next Le Guellec? Grandbois Canada’s Third IBU Youth World Champ

Alex KochonFebruary 22, 2017

It was raining hard on Wednesday at the biathlon stadium in Brezno-Osrblie, Slovakia. Like, cats and dogs, “des grenouilles” (frogs, in French), or “junge Hunde” (puppies, in German). But that didn’t stop Biathlon Canada press release. told Biathlon Canada. “It has always been my goal to be like him so to follow that path and do what he did is an amazing feeling. “The nicest message I received today was from JP,” he continued. “He...

Biathlon Racing

Two-Time World Youth/Junior Champion, Wenzel Calls It Quits at 22; Schultz Joins Him on the Bench

Chelsea LittleApril 10, 20131

2012 World Junior Champion Kurtis Wenzel began mulling retirement in December; despite his first World Cup start and a national title, come April, it still felt like the right decision. The Canadian biathlon team is also losing 2012 Female Biathlete of the Year Melanie Schultz, who struggled to find her ski speed - and motivation - all season.

Biathlon General Interviews News Racing

After Trip to Test Out Sochi, First National Title is ‘Perfect Way to End Season’ for Canada’s Wenzel

Chelsea LittleApril 3, 2013

In his first year as a senior, Canada's Kurtis Wenzel - last year's World Junior Champion in the individual - saw his season progress as normal. Then, at the very end, things got exciting: he got the surprise call to race in his first World Cup, at the Olympic venue in Sochi, then returned home to win his first national championship.

Biathlon Canadian Nationals Racing

Vaillancourt, Smith Collect Mass-Start Titles at Canadian Biathlon Nationals

Gerry FursethMarch 19, 2013

Audrey Vaillancourt (Quebec) completed her set of three titles at 2013 Canadian Biathlon Championships with a photo finish victory over Megan Heinicke (Biathlon BC) on Tuesday.

Biathlon Canadian Nationals Racing

Vaillancourt Doubles Up, Wenzel Moves Up in Canadian Nationals Biathlon Pursuit

Gerry FursethMarch 19, 2013

Audrey Vaillancourt (Quebec) made it two for two, winning the pursuit at Canadian Biathlon Championships at Whistler Olympic Park on Sunday. Vaillancourt started first after her Saturday sprint victory and finished first despite missing four shots (1+0+1+2) in 31:43.4 for the fastest ski time of the day.

Biathlon Racing

Canada Off-Form in Sochi, But Knows What to Work On

Chelsea LittleMarch 12, 2013

The Canadians will be the first to admit that things didn't go so well for them at the recent World Cups in Sochi. But they aren't letting it get them down - after all, next year is a completely different training cycle, and they won't be peaking for anything but the Olympics. With an unusually full roster that even included Brendan Green, they made the most of their preview.

Biathlon Juniors

After Top-Ten Pursuit Results at World Juniors, Canadian Biathletes are Satisfied – And Also Hungry for More

Chelsea LittleFebruary 29, 2012

As soon as biathlon World Youth and Junior Championships ended on Sunday in Kontiolahti, Finland, the Canadian team headed for home, making for a hectic afternoon. Because of the quick turnaround time FasterSkier was unable to touch base with the athletes directly after their races, but now that they’re back on home turf – along with the medals they earned – a few of the top competitors were willing to talk about the week. It...

Biathlon Juniors Racing

Dreissigacker Cracks Top-20 in World Junior Biathlon Sprint, Wenzel Paces Canada

Topher SabotFebruary 26, 2012

Ethan Dreissigacker (USA) skied to a top-20 in the World Junior 10km Biathlon Sprint, for arguably the top international race of his career. Kurtis Wenzel (CAN) was not far behind in 23rd to lead the Canadian squad. The race, which determines the start order for the next event, Sunday’s 10km pursuit, was won by Russian Maxim Tsvetkov just ahead of the French duo of Florent Claude and Simon Desthieux. Both Tsvetkov and Claude missed a...

Biathlon Juniors

Norway Sweeps World Junior Biathlon Relays; Canada’s Junior Men Are Best Shots in Field, Race to Sixth Place

Chelsea LittleFebruary 24, 2012

In the opening junior men’s race of biathlon’s World Youth and Junior Championships in Kontiolahti, Finland, Canada’s Kurtis Wenzel used near-perfect shooting to demolish the field and collect his second world championship title. His teammates, however, were less successful, shooting 80%, 60%, and 40%. “After the individual race I was a little bit down,” said Maxc Davies, who had missed 12 shots and placed 72nd. How things change. In Thursday’s junior 4 x 7.5 k...

Biathlon Juniors

After Year-Long Hiatus from Biathlon, Canada’s Wenzel Can Handle The Pressure, Picking Up Second World Junior Championship Title

Chelsea LittleFebruary 21, 2012

Canadian biathlon has been on the upswing all year, with top-ten performances from three different athletes on the World Cup and wins and podiums on the second-tier IBU Cup circuit. At World Youth and Junior Championships in Kontiolahti, Finland, the Canadians had been hoping to continue their success, and started off well with a top-ten finish by Julia Ransom. But the athlete most likely to make waves was a young man who was also surrounded...