To be successful in biathlon is to be patient, focused and have stamina to keep up with the competition. Combining the endurance of cross-country skiing with the marksmanship of shooting, biathlon is arguably one of the toughest sports at the Winter Olympics. Yet for Canadian Jean-Philippe Le Guellec, all the elements an athlete needs to win in biathlon may come together for him today in the mens 10-kilometre sprint, being held at the Laura Biathlon & Ski Complex in Krasnaya Polyana. Originally born in Kingston, Ont., Le Guellec — hes nicknamed Tiji — became the first Canadian male to win a World Cup biathlon event when he won the 10K sprint in Ostersund, Sweden, in December 2012. This will also be Le Guellecs final Olympic competition. While Le Guellecs facing big challenges in his quest to land on the podium in Sochi, the three-time Olympian is looking like a real contender in an especially strong field. "I think podium is definitely possible. Everything has to fall into place, for sure. You have to have a good ski, you have to have a good shooting," says Le Guellec. "You dont need to be the fastest skier out there, you dont need to be the fastest shooter. But its an alchemy of both of them."Canadas also got two other competitors in the 10K: Nathan Smith of Calgary, Alta., and Brendan Green of Hay River, N.W.T. The 28-year-old Smith is competing in his first Olympics in Sochi, and hes feeling good about competing this time around after missing out on qualifying for Vancouver 2010. "This is my first time here. Its really quite a spectacle. All the money and work that went into it is impressive. Seeing it in person is amazing."Despite the optimism, today wont be easy for the Canadians. Theyre competing against the most decorated biathlete of all time — Norways Ole Einar Bjørndalen. Now attending his sixth Winter Olympics, the 40-year-old Bjørndalen is gunning for his seventh Olympic gold medal today. Norways got more than just Bjørndalen to contend for gold today, though: Emil Hegle Svendsen, a biathlon sprint specialist, is looking to take his third Olympic gold after winning two golds in Vancouver 2010. Svendsens closest rival is Frances Martin Fourcade, who also comes into the 10 kilometre as a medal favourite. The winner of the 2011-2012 overall World Cup title, Fourcade — he also has an older brother, Simon, thats competing in the same race — won the silver medal in the 15 kilometre mass start in Vancouver 2010 and is looking to upgrade to gold in Sochi. Theres still more competition for the top contenders, such as the home crowds favourite, Anton Shipulin of Russia. Yet the biggest competition for the athletes might be the Laura Biathlon & Ski Complex itself. Le Guellec describes the biathlon course as very tough. "The Russians have been boasting for quite a while now that its the toughest course out there. Toughest course in the world. And you know what? Theyre absolutely right," says Le Guellec. "They have vicious climbs and really technical downhills, which I absolutely love."Smith agrees that its a really challenging course. "This is my first time here and everyone told me it had a lot of hills - and it does. Its really impressive." Joey Wendle Jersey . The government says top golfers are expected to compete in the PGA Tour event at the Ashburn Golf Club in the suburb of Fall River from July 3-6 and again next year. Kevin Kiermaier Jersey .3 seconds remaining, and No. 7 North Carolina held off a resilient No. 25 Virginia team, 54-51, on Saturday. John Henson contributed a double-double with 15 points to go with 11 rebounds for the Tar Heels (25-4, 12-2 ACC), who have won five straight and 10 of 11. http://www.officialraysgearshop.com/Rays-Alex-Cobb-Kids-Jersey/ . She was a pioneer. She did things on skis that made the birds take notice. Custom Tampa Bay Rays Jerseys . - While he appreciates suggestions from Packers fans of remedies for his sore left calf, Aaron Rodgers is not necessarily going to listen to the advice. Jesus Sucre Jersey .DeMarco Murray got his 20th carry late in the fourth quarter with a 10-point lead, not long after Dez Bryant made his final catch of the day.Sure enough, a 44-17 win over Washington didnt change Dallas post-season position.(SportsNetwork.com) - The Minnesota Wild will try to continue their recent hot streak, as they shoot for a fifth win in six tries when they host the struggling Dallas Stars on Saturday. Minnesota went 6-3-0 in the first month of 2014-15 and closed October with consecutive 4-3 wins over Boston and San Jose. Tuesdays road victory over the Bruins came in regulation, but the Wild needed a shootout to defeat the visiting Sharks on Thursday. The Wild rallied to post a victory over the Sharks in the opener of a three- game homestand. Minnesota trailed 2-0 in the first period and never held a lead in the game before winning in the shootout. Kyle Brodziak scored two third-period goals to force extra time. Minnesota trailed 3-1 after Joe Thorntons goal at 1:37 of the third, but Brodziak tallied less than four minutes later to make it a one-goal game and he evened the score with 9:28 remaining in regulation. The goals were the first two of the season for Brodziak. We were getting pucks to the net but werent get many high-quality chances, said Brodziak. Fortunately we were able to break them down there in the third and got a few in. Mikko Koivu also lit the lamp in regulation and Thomas Vanek had two assists for the Wild. Jason Pominville scored the decisive goal of the shootout and Darcy Kuemper made 25 saves through regulation and OT. Even at one goal apiece after two rounds, Pominville went in slow and wristed a shot past Antti Niemis glove and Kuemper stoned Patrick Marleau for the win. The victory pushed Minnesota to 4-0 on home ice this season. The Wild will complete their homestand Tuesday against Pittsburggh.dddddddddddd Dallas has lost three straight games, but has at least earned a point while losing each of its last two outings on home ice. After dropping a 4-3 overtime decision against visiting St. Louis on Tuesday, the Stars were handed a 2-1 OT loss by Anaheim on Friday. Nate Thompsons goal with 2:30 played in the extra session lifted the Ducks past the Stars. Corey Perry accepted a drop pass from Cam Fowler just inside the Dallas blue line, took one stride before making a hard stop below the left circle and hammering a shot towards the net. The puck deflected off Thompson and sailed by Kari Lehtonen to end the contest. Antoine Roussel produced the lone offense for the Stars, tying the game at 1-1 with 5:27 left in the third. Lehtonen stopped 22 pucks in defeat. Although his team was able to earn a point for the second straight game, Stars head coach Lindy Ruff was less than pleased with his clubs play on Friday. We are very fortunate to get a point, Ruff said. The first 40 minutes was as poor as Ive seen us play. Tyler Seguin failed to register a point Friday for only the third time this season and for the first time since Oct. 11. Seguin has 15 points on the season, tying him for the league lead with Philadelphias Jakub Voracek and Pittsburghs Sidney Crosby. The Stars and Wild split four meetings in 2013-14, with Minnesota winning the first two encounters at home before Dallas closed the season series with a pair of victories as the host. Dallas has claimed six of the past 10 meetings in this matchup, but the Wild have taken three in a row and five of the last six in St. Paul. ' ' '