PRINCE GEORGE, B.C. – Mark Arendz showed everyone why he’s a 10-time world champion.
With a hat trick of gold medals, the 34-year-old Canadian dominated at the 2024 Para Biathlon World Championships in Prince George, British Columbia from March 6-10.
“Only earlier this year was the first time I’ve ever been able to do the triple at a venue, and that was pretty special,” Arendz said on Sunday to the media. “And to do it here, my first time at a World Championship, on home soil with my brother here, my parents watching, that’s – it’s unbelievable.”
Canada won seven medals (four gold, three bronze). Ukraine led all nations in medal count with 20.
The pride of Prince Edward Island, Arendz, a four-time Paralympian, also won bronze in the mixed relay event, with Canadian teammate Brittany Hudak. It was the first time the long-time teammates teamed up in a mixed doubles relay.
“Doing the relay with Mark was pretty fun and a little extra special, too, because since I moved to Canmore Mark has been one of my teammates I’ve really looked up to as a biathlete,” said Hudak.
“We have pretty similar strengths in the range, so I think we know each other pretty well and makes a good team for us.”
On the first day (March 6), Hudak won bronze in the 7.5km sprint in the women’s standing and shot clean.
She said there are a lot more nerves on day one, but overall she was happy to put together a fairly decent race.
“I thought I was skiing well but I thought I was lacking a little bit of extra power, I would say,” said Hudak. “I shot clean but wasn’t feeling like the speed ski was totally there.”
The opening race had a rare tie for first between Canada’s Natalie Wilkie and Ukraine’s Liudmyla Liaschenko when both crossed the finish line in the same amount of time at 24:11.3. Wilkie shot clean, while Liaschenko missed one shot, but still managed to catch the Canuck.
“Honestly, it was even better than winning first by myself,” said Wilkie. “Liudmyla is a crazy competitor. I know that she always does her best out on the course, and she’s also a really fast shooter and so it was quite an honour for me to be able to share the first place with her."
Hudak and Wilkie have also tied a couple times over the years.
“It’s pretty funny and rare to see, especially at this level in this sport,” said Hudak.
“I think that just goes to show at this level those of us who are fighting for podium finishes, like, the times are that tight. Every stride, every second on the course truly matters.”
Arendz was triumphant in his return to Prince George, winning by more than 20 seconds at a time of 21:05.5 in the men’s standing.
Canada’s Derek Zaplotinsky narrowly missed the podium, shooting clean at a time of 25:18.8.
Two-time Canadian Paralympian Collin Cameron, who was named to the World Championships team, did not participate in any of the races.
On the second day (March 7), Arendz won his second gold medal in the 12.5km individual. He shot clean and crossed the finish line at a time of 35:01.2.
Wilkie won bronze (19/20) at a time of 41:11.1 and Hudak was fourth (18/20) at a time of 41:29.4.
Hudak said she was disappointed in how her trips to the range went.
“It might sound bad to say, but two misses is not great but I feel for me, and knowing what I’m capable of, I didn’t feel like I didn’t really execute things the best that I could have for shooting,” said Hudak.
“That’s just biathlon for ya; always a love-hate relationship sometimes.”
Zaplotinsky was ninth (16.20) in the men’s sitting.
Arendz got his golden hat trick in the sprint pursuit on the third day (March 9). The Canuck shot clean and finished at a time of 11:18.9.
Hudak finished fourth (8/10). Wilkie did not start.
Zaplotinski was fourth and shot clean.
The conclusion of the World Championships was the mixed relay team sprint (4X1.2km).
Arendz and Hudak sprinted to third place at a time of 22:44.4.
Up next is the Para Nordic World Cup finals in Prince George which started on Wednesday (March 13).
