She is the leader and expected to play a pivotal role in guiding Canada’s International Biathlon Union (IBU) World Cup squad.
Emma Lunder of Vernon, along with Daniel Gilfillan of the Vancouver Island Biathlon Club in Comox Valley, is part of the eight-team squad announced by Biathlon Canada following three days of intense competition on the Frozen Tundra course at the Canmore Nordic Centre in Alberta.
Gilfillan was also named to the eight-team IBU Cup squad for Canada.
Based on last season’s performance on the World Cup, Lunder and Calgary’s Adam Runnalls were pre-selected for the World Cup team.
“The national team has done great work throughout the summer months of training, and I’m excited to see what we can do as a team this year,” said Lunder, who competes for the Rocky Mountain Racers of Calgary/Canmore, to Biathlon Canada.
“As the oldest on the team, I pay attention to what the others are doing, and I’ve noticed some significant improvements, especially on the women’s team. I’m anticipating some big things from us.”
Lunder competed in two events at the Biathlon Canada World Cup Trials, held Nov. 6-9. She was fifth in Sprint #1 and finished seventh in the pursuit.
Gilfillan finished seventh and ninth in the two men’s sprint races, and was 10th in the pursuit.
Also named to the World Cup team for Canada were Nadia Moser – Whitehorse; Pascale Paradis – Calgary; Shilo Rousseau – Thessalon, Ont.; Logan Pletz – Regina; Haldan Borglum – Calgary.
Moser defeated Salmon Arm’s Natalie Wilkie in the first women’s sprint. Wilkie is a three-time Paralympic medallist and won gold and bronze at the 2024 Para Biathlon World Championships.
Wilkie, who competes for the Caledonia Nordic Ski Club out of Prince George, placed ninth in the women’s pursuit.
Joining Gilfillan from B.C. on the IBU Cup team are Benita Peiffer of Whistler, Emily Dickson of Burns Lake, and Jasper Fleming of Squamish.
Paradis, Rousseau, and Borglum were also named to the squad, as was Lucas Smith of Winnipeg.
More than 100 athletes from across Canada competed for spots on the IBU World Cup and IBU Cup teams. With just six positions available on the World Cup team and eight on the IBU Cup team, athletes faced immense pressure to perform at their best.
Among the competitors who had impressive results were athletes from the Sovereign Lake Nordic Development Centre in Vernon, or who train at the centre. They include Gavin Johnston (Vancouver Island Biathlon Club), Cole Germain, Liam Simons, Max Nilsson, Sebastian Solomonson, Cheyenne Tirschmann (Biathlon Yukon), Quinn Morgan, Julia Bartlett, Ella Niedre (Chelsea Nordiq, Chelsea Que.), Carmen McArthur, Allyson Thain (Camrose Ski Club, Camrose, Alta.), Payton Sinclair (Caledonia Nordic Ski Club), and Sophia Ledingham (VIBC).
The IBU World Cup season begins on Nov. 30 in Kontiolahti, Finland. The IBU Cup team will start their season on Nov. 28 in Idre Fjäll, Sweden.
“We’re excited to kick off the World Cup season with an experienced group of athletes,” said Justin Wadsworth, head coach at Biathlon Canada. “We had a great summer of training, and every athlete made significant improvements in both shooting and skiing.
“I’m confident this team has the potential for outstanding performances against the world’s best.”
