Biathletes Cheyenne Tirschmann and Cole Germain earned a bronze in the mixed biathlon relay at the 2023 Canada Winter Games Friday. It was Yukon’s first medal of the Games.

Germain said it felt “pretty great.”

Tirschmann added, “It was a great feeling.”

Germain said the win wasn’t completely unexpected.

“I would say kind of unexpected, but not like it wasn’t completely out of the question.

“I think both of us had pretty good races leading up to it. And then together we managed to put it together.”

Tirschmann attributed their bronze-winning race to “our awesome coaches, wax technician. Teammates that were out there cheering for us.”

Germain added, “Our entire team was on the side of the trail with cowbells and just screaming their heads off, getting us to go faster.”

The race day conditions were not the best.

“It was quite a snowy day,” related Germain. “It was pretty blustery. It was actually kind of a blizzard. And it was pretty windy, which was I guess the hardest part, on top of the snow. But other than that, it was pretty fast.”

“There was new snow and the trails were kind of chewed up from everybody skiing on them. But it was still fast,” added Tirschmann.

“And we had fast skis as well, which certainly helped,” added Germain.

Tirschmann said it was really close at the end.

“I feel like one more target probably would have been silver position for us, if one of us had hit one more.”

Their margin of victory was 5.5 seconds.

“Although the difference between us and position four was more significant, for sure,” said Germain.

As far as their shooting prowess went, Tirschmann said, “I hit 17 out of 20. But you have to keep in mind that because of the relay format, you get three spare bullets every time you shoot, on top of the normal five and five targets that really gave me an advantage on the shooting part.”

Germain added that his shooting wasn’t as good as he’s used to.

“But again, I kind of attribute it to the conditions.”

Germain said the wind was a factor on the shooting range.

“The hard part was that it was really swirling in the range. So normally if it’s a nice, consistent breeze, we can adjust our sights to compensate. But when it’s swirling like that, and it’s gusting, then it’s really hard to anticipate it. (Overall shooting still wasn’t too too bad. I guess in comparison to how it could have gone.”)

Regarding their bronze-medal-winning race, Tirschmann added, “It was really fun; relay is such a fun format. And then with our team out there cheering for us, it was awesome.”

“It’s really just like a big family out there,” said Germain. “We all know each other from different events that we’ve done throughout the years across the country. Everyone’s congratulating everybody and it’s really just a super social and happy event.”

On Saturday, Tirschmann and Germain stowed their skis and became a cheering section for their teammates.

“We were a dedicated cheer squad,” recalled Germain. “But it’s super exciting. The relays are very, very fast, chaotic and exciting to watch. Our teammates did great. They shot well and they skied fast.”

Germain said their biathlon success “definitely” gave them confidence going into this week.

“They’re both held at the same venue on the same trails. So it kind of gives you that little bit of a home-court advantage because you’ve already raced on them and you’ve been there for a week. But I know there’s some fast people out there, for sure.”

Tirschmann added, “I know where the trails will be softer. I know where I can push. I know where the wind will be affecting how fast I go. So that is definitely an advantage you have.

“But the skiers here, they’re all so fast, it’s pretty insane. But I’m excited to meet them and have fun and race against them.”

Germain has raced at biathlon and cross country nationals and Trischmann has raced at cross country ski nationals.

“They’re a very similar level and a lot of the same people are competing,” said Germain.

The biathlon team has formed new friendships and renewed old ones during these Games.

“It’s just really nice to get to see them again,” said Tirschmann.

“Being here in the village and just being able to hang out with everybody all the time is just such a good atmosphere,” said Germain.

He added “I’m just excited for what this next week has to offer.”

Tirschmann added she’s “really hyped to get back on the skis again.”