Date of Birth: July 4th, 1985
Hometown: Camrose, AB, Canada
Current Residence: Canmore, AB, Canada
Club: Canmore Nordic Ski Club
Coach: Roddy Ward
Years on Senior National Team: 1
Years on Senior National Development Team: 2
Originally from Camrose, Alberta, Canadian Biathlete Melanie Schultz was introduced to the sport at the late age of 17. While always a dedicated athlete, she only began cross-country skiing in high school, and a co-worker from the Augustana biathlon team invited her to try out the sport. Never one to say no, or back down from a challenge, she decided to give it a shot, fell in love with it immediately and began racing that winter.
Following her high school graduation, Melanie travelled for a year as part of a Canada World Youth exchange program to Sri Lanka. During this time she really missed biathlon and upon her return, decided to attend the University of Alberta – Augustana Faculty – where she joined the biathlon team while completing her Bachelor of Science (BSc) with a major in Environmental Sciences and a minor in Physical Education.
Melanie trained with the Canadian National Biathlon Team based in Canmore, Alberta, which she has called her home since 2008. Outside of training and competing, Melanie is passionate about food, and is constantly sourcing local fresh ingredients for use in her next culinary adventure. Melanie is also currently working towards a career as a Patent Agent at Hicks Intellectual Property Law in Canmore, Alberta.
In 2013, after a difficult race season in which she battled various health issues, Melanie decided to officially retire from the sport of biathlon.
AWARDS
2011-12 Biathlon Canada Female Athlete of the Year
2011-12 Biathlon Alberta Ruedi Setz Award for exemplary standards of sportsmanship and significant contribution to the development of biathlon
2004-05 & 2005-06 Most Improved Award on Augustana Vikings Biathlon Team
RESULTS
2012-13
North American Summer Biathlon Championships: 2nd (sprint), 2nd (pursuit)
2011-12
Canadian Championships, Valcartier, QC, Canada: 3rd (sprint), 4th (pursuit), 5th (mass start)
North American Cup, Canmore, AB, Canada: 1st (sprint)
Alberta Summer Biathlon Championships, Canmore, AB, Canada: 1st (sprint), 2nd (pursuit)
World Cup, Antholz, Italy: 9th (relay)
IBU Cup, Canmore, AB, Canada: 4th (individual), 7th (sprint), 13th (sprint), 24th (sprint)
IBU Cup, Haute Maurienne, France: 4th (relay), 11th (pursuit), 23rd (sprint)
IBU Cup, Forni Avoltri, Italy: 17th (sprint), 25th (individual)
IBU Cup, Obertilliach, Austria: 4th (mixed relay), 55th (sprint), 32nd (pursuit)
IBU Cup, Ridnaun, Italy: 44th (individual), 19th (sprint)
2010-11
Canadian Championships, Charlo, NB, Canada: 2nd (individual), 2nd (sprint), 5th (pursuit)
World Cup, Hochfilzen, Austria: 11th (relay)
World Cup, Oberhof, Germany: 13th (relay), 85th (sprint)
World Cup, Ruhpolding, Germany: 70th (individual), 71st (sprint)
Alpen Cup, Forni Avoltri, Italy: 4th (sprint)
U26 Open European Championships, Ridnaun, Italy: 29th (pursuit), 16th (individual), 33rd (sprint), 10th (relay)
IBU Cup, Martell, Italy: 35th (sprint)
IBU Cup, Obertilliach, Austria: 35th (sprint), 30th (pursuit)
IBU Cup, Annecy-Le Grand Bornand, France: 35th (individual), 40th (sprint)
2009-10
Canadian Championships, Canmore, AB, Canada: 1st (individual), 1st (mixed relay), 4th (sprint), 2nd (pursuit)
North American Cup, Lake Placid, NY, USA: 1st (pursuit), 4th (sprint)
North American Cup, Canmore, AB, Canada: 6th (sprint)
World Cup, Hochfilzen, Austria: 11th (relay)
World Cup, Ruhpolding, Germany: 16th (relay)
World Cup, Antholz, Italy: 67th (individual), 98th (sprint)
IBU Cup, Haute Maurienne, France: 29th (pursuit), 31st (sprint)
IBU Cup, Martell, Italy: 34th (sprint), 30th (pursuit)
IBU Cup, Obertilliach, Austria: 61st (sprint)
IBU Cup, Ridnaun, Italy: 62nd (individual), 63rd (sprint)
2008-09
Canadian Championships, Valcartier, QC, Canada: 2nd (individual), 3rd (sprint), 2nd (mixed relay)
US Championships/North American Cup, Fort Kent, ME, USA: 6th (mass start), 8th (pursuit), 10th (sprint)
North American Summer Biathlon Championships, Canmore, AB, Canada: 3rd (sprint), 7th (individual), 6th (pursuit)
Western Canadian Championships, Edmonton, AB, Canada: 1st (sprint)
2007-08
Canadian Championships, Callaghan Valley, BC, Canada: 5th (individual), 10th (sprint)
North American Cup, Canmore, AB, Canada: 9th (sprint), 9th (pursuit)
North American Cup, Canmore, AB, Canada: 8th (sprint), 7th (pursuit)
Western Canadian Championships, Camrose, AB, Canada: 2nd (sprint), 2nd (pursuit)
Calforex Cup, Hinton, AB, Canada: 1st (sprint), 1st (pursuit)
Calforex Cup, Edmonton, AB, Canada: 2nd (sprint), 2nd (pursuit)
2006-07
Winter Universiade, Torino-Cesana San Sicario, Italy: 33rd (individual), 39th (pursuit), 46th (sprint)
Western Canadian Championships, Grande Prairie, AB, Canada: 3rd (sprint), 1st (pursuit)
North American Cup, Canmore, AB, Canada: 7th (sprint), 7th (pursuit)
Calforex Cup, Canmore, AB, Canada: 3rd (individual), 3rd (sprint)
Calforex Cup, Hinton, AB, Canada: 1st (sprint), 2nd (mass start)