National Ski Team Background:
Mark Arendz carried the Canadian flag into the Closing Ceremonies of the 2018 Paralympic Winter Games following a historic six-medal performance where he reached the podium in every event he started. Mark set a record for winning the most medals by a Winter Paralympian in one Games with his first Paralympic gold, two silvers and three bronze.
Mark already with a stellar career under his belt heading into PyeongChang 2018. He was Canada‘s big star at the 2017 Para-Nordic World Championships in Finsterau, Germany in February 2017, earning five medals. He won three in the biathlon: gold in the 12.5 kilometre and 7.5 kilometre standing and silver in the 15 kilometre; in addition he won two more in cross country: bronze in the 10 kilometre and 4x2.5-kilometre relay. It was a first-ever worlds medal for Canada in the relay. Mark was shut out of the medals at the previous worlds in 2015.
Mark was also one of Canada’s busiest athletes at the 2014 Paralympic Winter Games in Sochi, Russia. He competed in five events (two cross country and three biathlon events). He earned two medals in biathlon with silver in the 7.5 kilometre standing and bronze in the 12.5 kilometre standing. Mark’s silver was Canada’s best-ever result in biathlon at the Games. He just missed a third trip to the podium, placing fourth in the 4x2.5 kilometre relay in cross country skiing.
Mark entered the Sochi 2014 Paralympic Games as the reigning World Cup biathlon champion and the world champion in the 7.5 km biathlon sprint.
He was also a member of the Vancouver 2010 Paralympic team and has continued to rise in the international standings ever since. He produced a breakthrough season in 2010-11, ranking second overall in the IPC World Cup standings, collecting three gold, two silver and a bronze. He showed in 2011-2012 that season was no fluke, earning two gold, two silver and two bronze on the World Cup, which again, ranked him second overall.
In 2012-13, Mark captured his first career IPC Biathlon World Cup Crystal Globe. He earned four podium finishes on the circuit, in addition to racking up three World Championship medals including his first victory at the worlds.
In 2014, he volunteered for SchoolBox and that spring travelled as a member of the non-profit group to Nicaragua to help build a school for a community ravaged by landslides.
Introduction to Cross-Country Skiing:
Being competitive by nature, Mark took a liking to sports at a very young age. He began skiing in the backyard when he was about five years old. After a farm accident where he lost his left arm, Mark began his competitive career in 2003 with the use of a ski prosthetic where he started racing in able-bodied competitions only. His interest turned towards biathlon after watching the 2002 Olympic Winter Games in Salt Lake City when he decided to give it a try. The following winter he began rifle shooting, and soon was on the local cadet biathlon team. Mark had great success with that team, setting record results at Nationals and becoming the first Island team to medal.
Personal:
Mark lost his left arm above the elbow in a farming accident at age seven. After his accident he worked for the War Amps organization as a junior counsellor. He used his experiences to teach others about farm safety. While the accident was initially a major shock, it did not deter him from pursuing his love for sport and competition.
- Canada’s Flag Bearer at Closing Ceremonies of 2018 Paralympic Winter Games
- Won most medals (6) by a Winter Paralympian in one Games at PyeongChang 2018
- Captured one gold, two silver and three bronze medals at 2018 Paralympic Winter Games
- Named to the Order of P.E.I.
- Won a silver and bronze medal in biathlon competitions at the 2014 Paralympic Winter Games
2018 – IPC World Cup, Canmore, CAN: 2 (Biathlon Long)
2018 – IPC World Cup, Obberied, GER: 2 (Cross Country Middle)
- Finished Second Overall in 2017 IPC World Cup Biathlon Standings
2017 – IPC World Cup, Vuokatti, FIN: 2 (Biathlon Sprint), 2 (Biathlon Long)
2017 – IPC World Championships, Finsterau, GER: 3 (Cross Country Middle Free), 1 (Biathlon Sprint), 1 (Biathlon Middle), 2 (Biathlon Long), 3 (Team Relay), 5 (Cross Country Long)
2017 – IPC World Cup, Pyeongchang, KOR: 3 (Cross Country Long Free), 2 (Biathlon Sprint), 2 (Biathlon Long), 4 (Cross Country Middle Classic)
2017 – IPC World Cup, Sapporo, JPN: 2 (Biathlon Sprint), 2 (Biathlon Long), 4 (Cross Country Short Classic), 4 (Cross Country Middle Free)
2016 – IPC Asian Cup, Pyeongchang, KOR: 2 (Cross Country Sprint Classic), 3 (Biathlon – Sprint), 1 (Biathlon Middle)
2014 – IPC World Cup, Canmore, CAN: 2 (Biathlon – Middle); 1 (Biathlon – Long)
2013 – First Overall on IPC World Cup Biathlon Standings
2013 – Won one gold and two bronze medals at IPC World Championships
2013 – Winner of one gold, two silver and four medals on IPC Cross-Country Skiing and Biathlon World Cup
2012 – Second Overall in IPC World Cup Biathlon Standings
2012 – IPC World Cup, Vuokatti, FIN: 1 (Cross Country – Long)
2012 – IPC World Cup, Vuokatti, FIN: 2 (Biathlon – Short)
2012 – IPC World Cup, Sjusjoen, NOR: 3 (Biathlon – Short)
2012 – IPC World Cup, Sjusjoen, NOR: 3 (Biathlon – Pursuit)
2012 – IPC World Cup, Sjusjoen, NOR: 1 (Biathlon – Long)
2012 – IPC World Cup, Cable, USA: 3 (Biathlon – Short)
2011 – Second Overall in IPC World Cup Standings
2011 – IPC World Championships, Khanty-Mansiysk, RUS: 4 (Biathlon – Pursuit)
2011 – IPC World Championships, Khanty-Mansiysk, RUS: 4 (Biathlon – Individual)
2011 – IPC World Cup, Vuokatti, FIN: 2 (Biathlon – Sprint)
2011 – IPC World Cup, Vuokatti, FIN: 3 (Biathlon – Sprint Pursuit)
2011 – IPC World Cup, Vuokatti, FIN: 1 (Biathlon – Individual)
2011 – IPC World Cup, Solleftea, SWE: 1 (Biathlon – Sprint)
2011 – IPC World Cup, Solleftea, SWE: 2 (Biathlon – Individual)
2011 – IPC World Cup, Finsterau, GER: 1 (Biathlon – Pursuit)
2010 – Paralympic Winter Games, Standing, Vancouver, B.C.: 7 (5km F) -
2010 – Paralympic Winter Games, Standing, Vancouver, B.C.: 9 (Sprint C)
2010 – Paralympic Winter Games, Standing, Vancouver, B.C.: 7 (Pursuit)
2010 – Para-Nationals, Standing, Canmore, Alta.: (10km F Canadian Champion)
2010 – Para-Nationals, Standing, Canmore, Alta.: (5km C Canadian Champion)
2010 – IPC World Cup Ranking: Biathlon- 7
2010 – IPC World Cup Ranking: Cross Country - 5
2010 – IPC World Cup, LW 2-9, Bessans, FRA: 3 (Sprint, F)
2010 – IPC World Cup, LW 2-9, Bessans, FRA: 4 (Biathlon Sprint)
2010 – IPC World Cup, LW 2-9, Oberried, GER: 3 (Biathlon Pursuit)
Paralympic Results:
2014 – Paralympic Winter Games, Standing, Sochi, RUS: 2 (Biathlon Short)
2014 – Paralympic Winter Games, Standing, Sochi, RUS: 3 (Biathlon Middle)
2014 – Paralympic Winter Games, Standing, Sochi, RUS: 11 (XC Middle)
2014 – Paralympic Winter Games, Standing, Sochi, RUS: 11 (Biathlon Long)
2010 – Paralympic Winter Games, Standing, Vancouver, B.C.: 12 (10km C)
2010 – Paralympic Winter Games, Standing, Vancouver, B.C.: 7 (5km F)
2010 – Paralympic Winter Games, Standing, Vancouver, B.C.: 9 (Sprint C)
2010 – Paralympic Winter Games, Standing, Vancouver, B.C.: 7 (Pursuit)
2010 – Paralympic Winter Games, Standing, Vancouver, B.C.: 16 (Individual)
World Championship Results:
2017 – IPC World Championships, Finsterau, GER: 3 (Cross Country Middle Free), 1 (Biathlon Sprint), 1 (Biathlon Middle), 2 (Biathlon Long), 3 (Team Relay), 5 (Cross Country Long)
2013 – IPC World Championships, Solleftea, SWE: 1 (Biathlon Short)
2013 – IPC World Championships, Solleftea, SWE: 3 (Biathlon Pursuit)
2013 – IPC World Championships, Solleftea, SWE: 3 (Biathlon Long)
2013 – IPC World Championships, Solleftea, SWE: 12 (Cross Country Sprint)
2011 – IPC World Championships, Khanty-Mansiysk, RUS: 4 (Biathlon Pursuit)
2011 – IPC World Championships, Khanty-Mansiysk, RUS: 10 (Cross Country 20km, C)
2011 – IPC World Championships, Khanty-Mansiysk, RUS: 6 (Biathlon Sprint)
2011 – IPC World Championships, Khanty-Mansiysk, RUS: 4 (Biathlon Individual)
World Cup Results:
2017 – IPC World Cup, Vuokatti, FIN: 2 (Biathlon Sprint), 2 (Biathlon Long)
2017 – IPC World Cup, Pyeongchang, KOR: 3 (Cross Country Long Free), 2 (Biathlon Sprint), 2 (Biathlon Long), 4 (Cross Country Middle Classic)
2017 – IPC World Cup, Sapporo, JPN: 2 (Biathlon Sprint), 2 (Biathlon Long), 4 (Cross Country Short Classic), 4 (Cross Country Middle Free)
2014 – IPC World Cup, Canmore, CAN: 2 (Biathlon Middle), 1 (Biathlon Long)
2014 – IPC World Cup, Vuokatti, FIN: 2 (Biathlon Short)
2013 – First Overall in IPC World Cup Biathlon Standings
2013 – IPC World Cup, Vuokatti, FIN: 3 (Biathlon Short)
2013 – IPC World Cup, Cable, USA: 2 (Cross Country Middle Distance)
2013 – IPC World Cup, Cable, USA: 3 (Cross Country Sprint)
2013 – IPC World Cup, Cable, USA: 2 (Biathlon Long)
2013 – IPC World Cup, Cable, USA: 1 (Biathlon Short)
2013 – IPC World Cup, Cable, USA: 2 (Biathlon Middle)
2013 – IPC World Cup, Sochi, RUS: 3 (Biathlon Long)
2012 – Second Overall in IPC World Cup Standings
2012 – IPC World Cup, Vuokatti, FIN: 1 (Cross Country – Long)
2012 – IPC World Cup, Vuokatti, FIN: 2 (Biathlon – Short)
2012 – IPC World Cup, Sjusjoen, NOR: 3 (Biathlon – Short)
2012 – IPC World Cup, Sjusjoen, NOR: 3 (Biathlon – Pursuit)
2012 – IPC World Cup, Sjusjoen, NOR: 1 (Biathlon – Long)
2012 – IPC World Cup, Cable, USA: 3 (Biathlon – Short)
2011 – IPC World Cup, Vuokatti, FIN: 2 (Biathlon – Sprint)
2011 – IPC World Cup, Vuokatti, FIN: 3 (Biathlon – Sprint pursuit)
2011 – IPC World Cup, Vuokatti, FIN: 1 (Biathlon – Individual)
2011 – IPC World Cup, Solleftea, SWE: 1 (Biathlon – Sprint)
2011 – IPC World Cup, Solleftea, SWE: 2 (Biathlon – Individual)
2011 – IPC World Cup, Finsterau, GER: 1 (Biathlon – Pursuit)