Cross Country Canada – No Canadians qualify for sprint heats on World Cup in Davos

VUOKATTI, Fin.—Canada’s Mark Arendz put a silver lining around the opening biathlon race of the IPC World Cup season in Vuokatti, Finland on Saturday.

The eight-time Paralympic medallist from Springton, P.E.I. took advantage of great skis and a solid day of shooting to clock a time of 34:39.2 in a 12.5-kilometre nail biter.

“It was a great way to start the biathlon season. It was a tight race the whole way through. I skied solid and I’m so happy with my overall performance,” said the 28-year-old, who competed in the men’s standing classification.

Knowing his body was in medal-winning shape following a golden performance in the men’s standing cross-country ski distance race on Wednesday, the three-time Paralympian dialed in on his shooting Saturday.

“Most my focus went into the shooting in all four bouts on the range. I knew staying clean throughout the race would be key,” added Arendz. “I felt very comfortable on the range and it resulted in a great day of shooting.”

Norway’s Nils-Erik Ulset topped the sharp-shooting Canuck to claim the gold with a time of 34:18.1 despite missing one shot in his third stop at the range. Benjamin Daviet, of France, skied to the bronze medal at 35:17.4 (1+0+1+1).

Other Canadian biathlon performances included. Derek Zaplotinsky, of Smokey Lake, Alta., finishing seventh in the men’s sit-skiing race with a time of 46:49.8 (1+0+1+0). Brittany Hudak, of Prince Albert, Sask., also finished seventh in the women’s 10-kilometre standing race with a time of 36:19.8 (0+0+0+0).

The IPC World Cup continues on Sunday in Finland with the cross-country ski sprint races.

COMPLETE RESULTS: https://www.paralympic.org/nordic-skiing/calendar-results

No Canadians qualify for heats in World Cup sprint

None of the three Canadians to suit up for a World Cup skate-ski sprint race in Davos, Switzerland on Saturday made it past the qualifying round.

With the fastest-30 athletes advancing to the head-to-head heats, the Canadians were forced to watch from the sidelines.

Alex Harvey, of St-Ferréol-les-Neiges, Que., was the top qualifier in 37th spot. Toronto’s Len Valjas returned to World Cup action in 53rd place, while Andy Shields (Thunder Bay, Ont.) was 60th.

The Canadians will be back on the line Sunday for a 10- and 15-kilometre classic-ski race in Davos.

CCC is the governing body of cross-country skiing in Canada, which is the nation’s optimal winter sport and recreational activity with more than one million Canadians participating annually. Its 60,000 members include athletes, coaches, officials and skiers of all ages and abilities, including those on Canada’s National Ski Teams. With the support of its valued corporate partners – Haywood Securities Inc., AltaGas, Swix and Lanctôt Sports– along with the Government of Canada, Canadian Olympic Committee, Canadian Paralympic Committee, Own the Podium and B2Ten, CCC develops Olympic, Paralympic and world champions. For more information on CCC, please visit us at www.cccski.com.

*****

FOR MORE INFORMATION:

Chris Dornan

Media and Public Relations

Cross Country Canada