February 18, 2015 (Asahikawa, Japan) – Canada’s para-nordic athletes rattled off three medals for the second-straight day at the IPC World Cup in Asahikawa, Japan on Sunday, Day 2 of competition. Canadian Team rookie Brittany Hudak captured her first career victory in the women’s standing division, while Mark Arendz skied to the bronze in men’s standing and Chris Klebl grabbed the bronze in the men’s sit-ski race.

Canada's Brittany Hudak © Photo Scott Grant/Canadian Paralympic Committee

The 21-year-old Hudak, who got introduced to the sport just two years ago, has been solid all year and finally broke through with her first career win in the classic-ski sprint race on the IPC World Cup.

“The learning curve has been so huge for me,” said Hudak heading into the race. “Now having the opportunity to attend national training camps, particularly the New Zealand camp this summer, I have noticed a huge improvement in my technique. It has been such an advantage for me to be in the same environment with the high-performance athletes, seeing how the train and learning from them.”

Japan’s Yurika Abe was second, while Russia’s Ekaterina Rumyantseva grabbed the bronze medal.

Two-time Paralympic medallist Arendz won his second-straight bronze medal. The 24-year-old had his personal best finish in a classic cross-country ski sprint race.

“The snow conditions were changing throughout the day, but the staff gave me great boards and I finished a close third,” said Arendz.

Russia’s Vladislav Lekomtcev won the men’s standing race. Japan’s Yoshihiro Nitta was second.

Day 3

The USA’s Andrew Soule continued his fantastic run of form at the 2015 IPC Nordic Skiing World Cup on Tuesday (Feb. 17), with his third win in as many races in Asahikawa, Japan, in classic cross-country long distance sitting.

US Army veteran and recent World Championships bronze medallist Soule (45:10.2) headed a strong field of finishers, including Canada’s Chris Klebl (45:16.3) in second and his teammate Daniel Cnossen (45:40.8) in third.

In sunny conditions just above freezing, Norway’s Mariann Marthinsen (40:39.2) reclaimed the top of the podium, collecting her first win of the competition in the women’s sitting.

Marthinsen beat Soule’s compatriot Oksana Masters (41:14.3), who has so far had the winning edge in Asahikawa, into second. Russian Natalia Kocherova (42:49.8) completed the top three.

Russian Vladislav Lekomtcev (59:31.2) picked up his second win in the men’s standing, leading world champion teammate Rushan Minnegulov (1:00:23.5) and Japan’s Yoshishiro Nitta (1:00:27.3) onto the podium.

Canadian Brittany Hudak (57:04.2) also collected her second win of the competition in the women’s standing. Yurika Abe (1:01:20.4) provided more delight for the home crowds with her latest podium. World Championships bronze medallist Russian Ekaterina Rumyantseva (1:02:27.0) was third.

Hudak’s reigning world and Paralympic champion compatriot Brian McKeever (1:00:15.5) demonstrated his long distance prowess once again with guide Graham Nishikawa in the men’s visually impaired.

Norwegian Eirik Bye (1:05:33.0), guided by KM Hellerud, sealed valuable World Cup points in second, leading Japan’s Hiroshi Kato (1:25:31.0) and guide Y Katsutoshi into third.

Day 4

Russian skiers sealed a double win at the IPC Nordic Skiing World Cup in Asahikawa, Japan, on Wednesday (18 February), bringing their day’s podium total to five in cross-country sprint freestyle races.

Vladislav Lekomtcev headed the field in the men’s standing, securing his third win of the competition and pushing himself further out of reach in the overall World Cup rankings.

France’s Benjamin Daviet was second, splitting Lekomtcev and his teammate Ivan Kodlozerov in third.

The second win for Russia came in the women’s equivalent courtesy of Ekaterina Rumyantseva who once again led Japan’s Yurika Abe and Canadian Brittany Hudak.

There was also double joy for the USA, as Oksana Masters took her third win and Andrew Soule his fourth in the women’s and men’s sitting respectively. The win continues Soule’s unbeaten record for the competition.

Masters finished in front of Norwegian sprint Paralympic champion Mariann Marthinsen, whilst Akzhana Abdikarimova collected another podium for Russia in third.

Soule meanwhile continued his tussle with Alexey Bychenok over 1km, edging the Russian out to take victory. Norwegian Steinar Trygve Larsen completed the top three.

There was a continuation of a strong French showing at the World Cup level following the team’s convincing World Championships performance, as Anthony Challencon and guide Lucas Dupperex were victorious in the men’s visually impaired.

Norwegian Eirik Bye, guided by KM Hellrud, retained their form with a second place finish.

South Korea’s Bogue Choi and guide Jeongryun Seo collected third, emerging just in time for the beginning of the PyeongChang 2018 Paralympic Winter Games cycle.

Results here.