The Russians once again took the title of biathlon relay world champions today as the women blew away the competition in the 4X6-km race at the Whistler Olympic Park.
As a tense rivalry for second took place between France and Germany, Russia's Olga Zaitseva, Olga Medvedtseva, Svetlana Sleptsova and Anna Bogaliy-Titovets, finished the 4x6-kilometer race in 1 hour, 9 minutes, 36.3 seconds.
It's a return to glory that saw the Russians take the gold in 2006, and once saw them dominate the event from 1968 to 1988.
The French quartet of Marie Laure Brunet, Sylvie Becaert, Marie Dorin and Sandrine Bailly took the silver after finishing 32.8 seconds behind.
The Canadian foursome of Megan Imrie, Zina Kocher, Rosanna Crawford and Megan Tandy finished 15th in 1:14:25.5 a result Tandy was quick to point out was not ideal.
"I definitely think we did not achieve our potential, which is a good thing in a way, to think 'I hope that's not the best we can do,'" said the Squamish athlete. "But it was our last race on home soil and I know for absolutely 100 per cent that all four of us, we didn't leave anything out there."
Tandy said she and the team have no regrets, however.
"My goal was to perform at these Games, to be here represent B.C. and Canada, Prince George, Squamish, and I wanted to do that to the best of my ability."
And Canada hasn't seen the last of the young biathlon team.
"This day I know we're all thinking the same thing: So this is where we're at, we've got four years until the next Games and we know where we want to be," said Tandy.
"I'm still in a steep learning curve and like my teammates, I don't know where the top is. So I'm totally motivated to find out just how far I can take it or take myself."
Both Tandy and Crawford bemoaned the lack of funding for the sport after the race. It's also the main factor in determining whether Tandy will realize her hope of remaining a Squamish-based athlete.
"You have to be able to find the place where you are happy, where you can make the best of it. And I find for me, it has been here, she said.
"This is my home Canadian sight and I truly believe it has been a huge advantage in these races. So I would say that if the B.C. program has the funding to continue, I would stay here."
Crawford said more funds should go to sports where Canada's standings need improvement rather than focusing mostly on the sports the country is already medaling in most consistently.
She also pointed out that while hockey can earn Canada one medal, the biathlon events can achieve five.
"It's not a sport to be forgotten about just because we're not doing result right now," she said. "It's also a sport where you peak in your late 20s and early 30s, and we have a lot of up-and-coming athletes. So if we fuel them it's going to be incredible to see what this team could produce in a couple of years down the road."
