Team BC biathlon added another medal to the haul today with a bronze in the men’s 3x7.5km team relay. That is two relays and two bronze medals for Team BC at Riverbend Golf and Recreation Area. This race came immediately following the female teams bronze medal finish.
Team BC was comprised of Andrei Secu (Coquitlam), Ethan Algra (Vernon) and Ryan Elden (Quesnel). Elden won gold yesterday in the 10km Individual Pursuit, while Secu adds today's finish to his two-bronze week (10k individual pursuit and sprint competition).
Tallying with the female side, Team BC biathlon has earned 7 medals heading into tomorrow’s events.
Andrei Secu went first in the relay and described his performance post-race.
“I tried to stick with Quebec in the first lap and was able to shoot clean. I left the range with Alberta and we basically just tried to chase down Quebec together.”
In another crazy day at Riverbend Golf and Recreation Area, the athletes reflected on the crowd and the cheering they could hear around the whole course.
“The cheering was insane, on every corner of the course. Because in the relay it is a mass start, the noise out of the gate was so loud and crazy. It was just a lot of fun to be out there,” said Secu.
Andrei Secu has already had quite the week at the 2019 Canada Winter Games, and he will compete again tomorrow in search of a 4th podium finish.
Second in the Team BC relay was Algra.
“I was in a battle the whole leg with Alberta. We both had a little trouble in the range with the prone shots, but I hope I can get it together and shoot clean tomorrow.”
Rounding out the 3 person relay was yesterday’s golden biathlete Ryan Elden. Elden was tagged off in a good position thanks to his teammates and had an unfortunate crash on one of the corners on the course. The fall left his riffle in trouble, and he had to complete the competition with a spare rifle.
“It’s a little disappointing as I would have liked to be closer and really fighting for gold and silver position, but all in all, we are proud of another podium finish. It’s been a fun week so far.”
The final member of Team BC, Keiran Marchand (Nelson), did not compete today in the relay. He is still nursing a shoulder injury and decided to rest in favour of tomorrows individual races.