March 16, 2016 (Vuokatti, Finland) – On the opening day of the IPC World Cup Finals in Vuokatti, Finland, Canada’s Mark Arendz had a solid fifth in the men’s 7.5km standing biathlon sprint. Arendz dropped out of medal contention with a costly miss in each of his two trips to the range to finish with a time of 20:30.6 in the men’s standing 7.5 kilometre race.

“Going into today I felt I had a lot more. The body felt ready to go, but it didn’t materialize in today’s race,” said the 26-year-old. “I was close on the skiing, but I’m still finding myself needing to tweak my shooting. Two misses is two too many for me right now.”

Ihor Reptyukh, of the Ukraine, clocked the winning time of 18:49.5 after a perfect day of shooting. Russia’s Vladislav Lekomtsev missed two in his opening round of shots, but battled back into the silver medal position on the podium with strong ski speed to post a time of 19:20.2. Benjamin Daviet, of France, was third at 19:39.6 (0+1).

Canada’s young guns on the Para-Nordic circuit – Emily Weekes and Brittany Hudak – finished ninth and 10th respectively in the women’s 6km standing race.

Weekes, a World Cup rookie from North Vancouver, struggled in her final round of shooting where she missed three targets to post a ninth-place time of 23:56.8. The 22-year-old Hudak missed two in both rounds of shots to finish with a time 25:21.4 for 10th.

Oleksandra Kononova, of the Ukraine, posting a winning time of 20:53.2.

The USA’s Andrew Soule finished 11th in the men’s 7.5 kilometre sit-ski biathlon sprint race, while Derek Zaplotinsky (CAN) missed three and two in shooting to finish 15h at 33:57.4. Russia’s Grigory Murigyn took the win.

Oksana Masters (USA) placed sixth in the 6km women’s sitting sprint won by Russia’s Irina Guliavea.

In the men’s 7.5km visually impaired competition, the USA’s Jacob Adicoff finished 11th with guide John Farra. The race was won by Russian duo Stansilav Chokhlaev and Oleg Kolodiichuk.

For complete results, please visit here.

Day 2 – 12.5/15km Individual Biathlon
Canada’s Weekes and Arendz put up a strong fight for the biathlon podium at the IPC World Cup Finals, but both came up a hair short in Vuokatti, Finland on Wednesday.

Weekes was on cloud nine after firing a career-best biathlon result at the final series of races of her rookie season on the IPC World Cup where she was fourth. Battling through a difficult season where the results have not been what he has wanted, Arendz had one of his better races of the year where he was back in the medal mix.

The 24-year-old Weekes knocked down 18 of her 20 targets in four rounds of shooting on the range to clock a time of 47:32.8 in the women’s standing 12.5-kilometre event.

“It was a really great way to end the season. I really had to gut it out in the skiing, and I just couldn’t hold on to third for the final lap,” said Weekes. “Mark and I both had amazing skis today and that worked to our benefit for sure! A huge thank you to the wax techs for the amazing work once again!”

Weekes was poised to capture the first biathlon medal of her career, but made two costly misses in her final stop at the range. Athletes receive a one minute penalty for every missed shot in the individual race.

“It was unfortunate in my last shooting bout to miss the two, but man what a change from the beginning of the year,” added Weekes. “It was a great feeling to see the changes and can’t wait to see what next season has in store!”

Ukraine’s Oleksandra Kononova won the women’s standing race with a time of 43:15.2 (0+0+1+1). Russia’s Natalia Bratiuk shot clean to win the silver medal at 43:51.8, while her teammate, Anna Milenina took advantage of fast skis on a poor shooting day to win the bronze medal with a time of 47:02.9 (0+1+2+3).

Meanwhile, two-time Paralympic medallist Arendz, had Canada back in medal contention in the men’s standing classification.

One of the most dominant para-nordic athletes in the world over the last five years in biathlon, Arendz had his top result of the season, but wasn’t quite enough to hop onto the podium. The 26-year-old clocked a fifth-place time of 46:46.7.

“The preparation going into today’s race was much better. Waking up I had the feeling that a good race was possible,” said Arendz. The body reflected that in the skiing. I skied well and was in the mix with all of the best so that is a good sign.”

Arendz missed one shot in each of his final three trips to the range.

“I continued the struggles of this year on the range. That is what stings the most – that one of my strengths is the thing holding me back on several occasions this season.”

Benjamin Daviet, of France, won the deepest division with a time of 44:12.0 (2+0+1+0). The Russians also grabbed the final two spots on the men’s podium. Ivan Kodlozerov was second with a time of 45:34.0 (0+0+1+0). Vladislav Lekomtsev celebrated the bronze medal with a time of 46:39.1 (0+2+1+1).

In the women’s 12.5k sitting compeition, the USA’s Masters finished seventh behind winner Maria Iovleva (RUS).

The USA’s Soule placed sixth in the 15km sitting race, while Russia’s Murygin grabbed the victory. Canada’s Zaplotinsky was 11th.

The IPC World Cup Finals continue on Thursday with the cross-country skiing sprint races.

For complete results, please visit here.