Canada’s Para Nordic Team Announced for the 2024 Para Biathlon World Championships in Prince George B.C.
Canmore, Alta: Five of Canada’s best Para biathletes will represent Canada on home snow March 6-10 in Prince George, B.C. The team, including multi-Paralympic medallists Natalie Wilkie, Mark Arendz, Brittany Hudak and Collin Cameron, will head to the Championships with world titles in their sights.
Full Team, Para Biathlon World Championships:
Mark Arendz – Hartsville, P.E.I.
Brittany Hudak – Prince Albert, Sask.
Derek Zaplotinsky – Smoky Lake, Alta.
Natalie Wilkie – Salomon Arm, B.C.
Collin Cameron – Bracebridge, Ont.
The veteran team is no stranger to success. With a combined 27 Paralympic medals between them, they have proven to deliver at high stakes events. This season the team has already seen success, bringing home 14 medals from the first two World Cup events, including three consecutive golds from Mark Arendz, dominating the Para-Biathlon races.
“Going into the World Championships after a very successful start to the World Cup season means I can draw a lot of confidence from those earlier races,” said Arendz. “I know my baseline and can climb from there. I understand I’m the target, but I can use that to challenge myself to set the performance bar even higher.”
“The team is coming off a great World Cup tour in Italy and is excited to return to Prince George and Caledonia Nordic to cap off the season in the pursuit of World Cup titles, podiums and personal best performances for Canada. We expect exciting and competitive races and look forward to welcoming the world back to Canada,” said Kate Boyd, High Performance Director for the Para nordic team.
Prince George is no stranger to the excitement and prestige of international Para sports competitions, having hosted the 2019 Para Nordic World Championships. The city’s passionate support and world-class facilities provide an ideal backdrop for athletes to showcase their talent and determination.
“It’s an incredible opportunity to represent Canada on home soil at a World Championships,” said Mark Arendz. “I’m fortunate this will be my second time. There are many lessons from 2019 and my first Worlds at home that I now take into these World Championships, better preparing me for a successful Worlds. This is the first time we will have a Biathlon-only World Championship; doing that in Canada is special.”
Following the Para Biathlon World Championships, the Para Nordic World Cup Finals will start March 13-17 with an additional seven Canadian athletes joining the team.
Full Team, Para Nordic World Cup Finals:
Mark Arendz – Hartsville, P.E.I.
Brittany Hudak – Prince Albert, Sask.
Derek Zaplotinsky – Smoky Lake, Alta.
Natalie Wilkie – Salmon Arm, B.C.
Collin Cameron – Bracebridge, Ont.
Emma Archibald – Fall River, N.S.
Ethan Hess – Pemberton, B.C.
Christina Picton – Fonthill, Ont.
Lyne-Marie Bilodeau – Sherbrooke, Que.
Jesse Bachinsky – Kenora, Ont.
Levi Nadlersmith (Guide) – Boissevain, Man.
Leo Sammarelli – Vancouver B.C.
The Local Organizing Committee extends a warm invitation to the public to come and witness these incredible athletes in action. Competitions take place at the Caledonia Nordic Ski Club and are free to the public. This is a unique opportunity to see the world’s best Para biathletes and Para Nordic skiers compete, demonstrating not only their remarkable athletic abilities but also the powerful spirit of resilience and determination that defines Para sports.
Event Schedule: https://caledoniacompetitions.com/teams/team-schedule/