December 13, 2014 (Vuokatti, Finland) – Once again USA and Canadian paranordic skiers were on the podium as Day 3 of the IPC World Cup unfolded in Vuokatti, Finland. In the women’s 5km sitting American  Masters (15:59.1) was second, edging out Maria Iovleva (16:06.8) in third as Marta Zaynullina (15:49.9) claimed her second win in three events. It was the closest race of the day, with less than 17 seconds separating the top three.

Oksana Masters (USA) © Pam Doyle

Paralympic champion, Chris Klebl of Canmore, Alta., powered his way to a bronze (28:24.2) in the 10-kilometre men’s sit-ski competition won by Ivan Golubkov (27:22.6), who finished second in Wednesday’s biathlon sprint. He easily took the win ahead of his teammate Aleksandr Davidovich (28:14.1).

“The first race of the year is always an interesting one. My training indicators have been positive, and I’ve been healthy and motivated since Sochi,” said Klebl. “It is always good to get positive feedback via results in the first race. I am looking forward to continuing to develop my fitness, and fine-tuning my races.”

The Canadian Para-Nordic Team also discovered another weapon in its arsenal as Brittany Hudak, of Prince Albert, Sask., skied to her first IPC World Cup podium with a bronze of her own in the women’s five-kilometre standing class. Oleksandra Kononova (16:06.2), a bronze medallist in this event in Sochi, topped the podium ahead of teammate Liudmyla Liashenko (16:46.9).

Discovered recently while working in a Canadian Tire store by Canada’s Paralympic cross-country ski legend, Colette Bourgonje, the 21-year-old Hudak had the race of her life while posting a time of 17 minutes, 28.2 seconds.

“It was a stellar day and start to the season for our team,” said Robin McKeever, head coach, Canadian Para-Nordic Ski Team. “It was a great result for Brittany. She has worked hard and trained well with the goal of being a medal contender in 2018. She now needs to continue to develop her technical ability.”

“It’s a pretty exciting day being on the podium for the first time in a World Cup,” said Hudak, who was born missing part of her left arm. “The race felt great for me. I was pushing hard and able to keep my mental focus. It just felt great to see an awesome result at the end of the race! A big thanks goes to my coaches, Own the Podium and Cross Country Canada for the amazing support to get me here.”

ChrisKlebl © Pam Doyle

Para-biathlon specialist, Mark Arendz, also had a solid outing finishing fifth in the men’s 10-kilometre standing division. Arendz, of Springton, P.E.I., clocked a time of 28:52.2. Ukraine’s Ihor Reptyukh won the division with a time of 27:04.9 beating Sochi bronze medallist Vladislav Lekomtcev (27:18.9) who finished second with teammate Aleksandr Pronkov, Russia’s Sochi 2014 Paralympic champion over this distance, in third.

In the day’s four other races, Russian athletes dominated taking eight of the 12 podium positions. The men’s visually impaired 10km was won by the Sochi 2014 silver medallists in this event Stanislav Chokhlaev and his guide Evgenii Fatkhullin (28.17.6). The pair finished ahead of France’s Thomas Clarion and guide Julien Bourla (28:54.5) in second, whilst Vladmir Udaltcov and guide Ruslan Bogachev (29:20.1) were third.

Having won Wednesday’s women’s 6km visually impaired biathlon sprint, Iulia Budaleeva and guide Tatiana Maltseva (16:19.2) again took top spot, this time in the cross-country. Behind them in second were teammates Elena Remizova and guide Maksim Pirogov (16:39.3) whilst the Ukrainian pair of Oksana Shyshkova and guide Lada Nesterenko (17:28.4) completed the podium.

Results here.