Zina Kocher

Biography

As the most experienced member of the Canadian women’s biathlon team, Zina Kocher competed in her third straight Olympic Winter Games at Sochi 2014. She was part of the 4x6km relay team that finished eighth for the best ever Canadian Olympic result in the event and also posted a Canadian best ever result of 25^th place in the 10km pursuit.

Starting out as a cross-country skier, Kocher got her introduction to biathlon at the 1998 Alberta Winter Games. After graduating high school in 2000, she moved to Canmore to train fulltime with the Rocky Mountain Racers under coach Richard Boruta. She went on to compete for Canada at the 2001 World Junior Championships before jumping to the World Cup circuit fulltime in 2003-04.

Kocher made some history at the opening World Cup of the 2006-07 season when she captured the bronze medal in the 15km individual event in Oestersund, Sweden. She was the first Canadian biathlete to win an international medal in more than a decade. Kocher has competed at every world championship dating back to 2003.

Getting to know…

Outside Interests: Enjoys reading, yoga and music… Plays the flute… During the off-season likes to scuba dive, rock climb and alpine tour… Odds and Ends: Nickname: Zeeners… Has taken some general university studies through Athabasca University… Affiliated with charities Fast and Female, Right to Play and Greenlaces…