Mark Arendz notches second gold at Para biathlon World Cup

Canadian Paralympic Committee

January 30, 2025

PEI native has four World Cup victories this season

(Photo IBU)

VAL DI FIEMME, Italy – Mark Arendz continued to steamroll through the Paralympic Games venue on Thursday with his second straight victory, this time in the men’s standing 7.5 kilometre World Cup Para biathlon race.

Arendz, an 11-time Paralympic medallist over four winter Games, continued to be perfection in the shooting range and topped the field in 17 minutes and 41.7 seconds. According to the IBU, he has not missed a target this season with four wins in five biathlon races.

Jiayun Cai of China was nearly 10 seconds back of the Canadian in second and Serhii Romaniuk of Ukraine was third in 17:54.4.

Arendz, 34, also won the pursuit on Wednesday but said he wasn’t sure how we would fare Thursday.

‘‘I just want to control what I can, learn some different tactics.,’’ said the Hartsville, PEI native. ‘’Each lap has to be different, that’s just how it’s set up, so just trying different things.

‘’Maybe came into the last corner a little hard but kept it upright and was able to take those last few extra seconds from the range on the last lap.’’

After two races, Arendz says the venue for 2026 Milan-Cortina is unpredictable.

‘’It’s always changing,’’ he said. ‘’It’s going to be about adapting. When you think it’s going to be a little worse, it’s actually better and it’s going to be tricky at times too. It’s going to reward the all-around athlete.

‘’So that’s really exciting for next year.’’

Brittany Hudak of Prince Albert, Sask., just missed a second straight podium finishing fourth in the women’s standing 7.5 kilometre.

Arendz, Hudak and Derek Zaplotinsky of Smoky Lake, Alta., all won gold on Wednesday in the pursuit.

More races are set for Saturday and Sunday.

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