February 19, 2017 (Finsterau, Germany) – Mark Arendz added another gold medal to his haul, completing most successful Para-Nordic World Ski Championships in his career on Saturday in Finsterau, Germany.

Arendz, of Hartsville, P.E.I., had a perfect day in the men’s 7.5-kilometre standing men’s biathlon race where he shot clean and posted a golden time of 18:30.0.

“It was a very tight race, which is to be expected in this field,” said Arendz. “It feels amazing to get the gold medal today. I was a little concerned how the body may react to all of the racing, but the legs and body felt amazing.

“I focused on my skiing, being strong and relaxed on course. It suits my style very well.”

The 26-year-old two-time Paralympic medallist started slow out of the gate, but picked up time at the half-way mark where he hammered the pace to capture his second biathlon World Championship title of the week. He also won the silver in the biathlon distance race, and was part of Canadian history when he and his mates skied to the bronze medal in the cross-country ski relay.

“The wax techs gave me fantastic skis again today and I’m thrilled I could use them to a full benefit,” said Arendz, who now has three World Championship titles in his career. “Once I came to the range I switched a shooter and though it was my best shooting, it was clean. It was a very memorable and special week for me here at World Championships.”

Arendz edged out Ihor Reptyukh from the Ukraine for the gold. Reptyukh finished two seconds back at 18:32.6 (0+0). Benjamin Daviet, of France, missed one shot in his final round at the range, finishing third with a time of 18:57.2.

Derek Zaplotinsky, of Smokey Lake, Alta., was the top Canadian in the men’s sit-ski classification. Zaplotinsky was perfect in shooting, and finished 10th at 24:29.4. Collin Cameron, of Sudbury, Ont., was 12th at 25:13.1 (2+1).

Maksym Yarovyi, of the Ukraine, won the division with a time of 21:36.1 (1+0).

Vancouver’s Emily Young was the top Canadian in the women’s six kilometre biathlon sprint race. Young missed just one shot in her final bout to post an eighth-place time of 21:11.0 in the women’s standing classification. Brittany Hudak, of Prince Albert, Sask., was 10th at 22:30.9 (2+0).

Liudmyla Liashenko, of the Ukraine, continued her dominance of the women’s standing classification, winning with a time of 18:25.0 (0+0) on Saturday.

 

 

 

Results here.