Parade to podium continues for Canadian nordic skiers at Para biathlon World Cup

NOTSCHREI, Germany – Natalie Wilkie of Salmon Arm, B.C., led a four-medal weekend for Canada with two silver to conclude the second stop on the Para biathlon World Cup circuit.

After winning the 12.5 kilometre on Thursday, the seven-time Paralympic Games medallist was second in both the sprint pursuit on Saturday and the 7.5 kilometre on Sunday.

In both instances she was edged by Chinese skiers:  Yugie Guo in the pursuit and Zhao Zhiqing in the 7.5 kilometre. 

Wilkie, who opened the season with four straight victories on the circuit, only missed one target at this event.

“It was a really good week for our entire team,” said Wilkie·, who opened the Para biathlon World Cup season with four straight wins. “There was a lot of teamwork, testing skis, building each other up and sharing information, and that really showed.

‘’This week had some really challenging moments with the weather, but as a team we did a good job keeping the energy positive.”

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Nordiq Canada (@nordiqcanada)

In the 7.5 kilometre race, Brittany Hudak of Prince Albert, Sask., won her second bronze this season.

“I was really happy with how I executed my race,” said Hudak, about her 7.5 km event. “I had one miss on the range, but I felt strong on the skis and was able to push hard the entire way.”

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Brittany Hudak (@brittany_hudak)

Mark Arendz of Hartsville, PEI, who also opened the season with four wins, added a bronze in the men’s standing pursuit after winning the 12.5 km on Thursday.

Derek Zaplotinsky of Smokey Lake, Alta., was fifth in the pursuit and sixth in the men’s sitting pursuit and 7.5 kilometre while Maddy Mullin of Fergus, Ont., and her guide Ailey Brooke of Thunder Bay, Ont., were eighth in the women’s visually impaired 7.5 kilometre.

Wilkie leaves Notschrei ranked first overall in women’s standing, with Hudak second overall. Arendz sits second overall in men’s standing.

The Crystal Globe overall titles will be decided at the third and final stop January 19-25 in Jakuszyce, Poland.

The Canadian Para nordic skiers now head to Finsterau, Germany for the second stop on the Para cross country skiing World Cup circuit this Wednesday to Sunday (January 14-18).

(with files from Nordiq Canada)