Mark Arendz shares the "massive team effort" behind Para biathlon success

Para biathlon, which combines cross-country skiing and shooting, is a sport that demands laser-sharp focus, explosive physical strength, and pin-point accuracy. But for Canada’s Mark Arendz, behind every victory, there is a “massive team” driving him forward—none more important than his brother Menno, his shooting coach.

Arendz clinched a nail-biting victory in the men’s 7.5km sprint standing race on the opening day of the IBU Para Biathlon World Championships in Pokljuka, Slovenia. Arendz crossed the finish line just 1.2 seconds ahead of Germany’s Marco Maier, letting out a triumphant roar of pure emotion.

“Every second counted,” the 34-year-old athlete said after his race on 6 Febuary. "I think it was very tight. “(Marco) had me. I was just able to push a little bit somewhere, I don’t even know where, but just a little bit more.”

 

 

 

 

View this post on Instagram

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A post shared by Paralympics (@paralympics)

Meet the dream team

Behind Arendz’s wins is an entire crew that is just as committed as he is. His younger brother Menno, who also serves as the shooting coach for the Canadian Para Nordic national ski team, has played a crucial role in his success.

“It's always a little special having him with me on the road," Arendz said. "It’s a team effort even though I'm the one with the bib on.”

“It’s a massive team effort just to get us here, fit and ready to compete. And then finally, on the last days, all the support gets our race ready.”

Since Menno took on the role of shooting coach in 2022, the Arendz brothers’ bond has deepened even further. Menno became coach just months after Mark’s four-medal haul at the Beijing 2022 Paralympic Winter Games.

“We competed many years together, but he decided to go towards coaching where I continued to ski,” Arendz said. “To have him behind me, or behind the scope, quite literally, is always very special for us.”

“It’s really a special bond. I think one of the things that always kept us close was biathlon. That was something we never argued about. We might have different opinions, but we share a lot of similarities in our understanding and our knowledge and experience with biathlon.”

“It’s always been an exciting piece to have him there to help me when I need it, and I know that I can rely on him in the heat of the moment of the competition.”

The countdown to Milano Cortina 2026

Arendz started skiing at age 5 in his backyard and his passion for biathlon ignited when he first watched the 2002 Salt Lake Paralympic Winter Games. More than 20 years later, he is now a 12-time Paralympic medallist aiming to compete at his fifth Paralympic Games.

His Paralympic debut came at Vancouver 2010, and he claimed his maiden medal at Sochi 2014. But it was PyeongChang 2018 that marked his true breakout, where he took home one gold, two silvers, and three bronzes.

With just over a year until the Milano Cortina 2026 Paralympic Winter Games, this season has been critical for his preparation. Before heading to Slovenia for the IBU Para Biathlon World Championships, he was already testing the tracks at the Milano Cortina 2026 test event in Val di Fiemme.

“We were able to see the tracks for the first time, compete on them, see a little bit about the environment around us and the atmosphere that we could maybe expect in one year’s time,” he said.

After Slovenia, he will compete at the FIS Para Cross-Country World Championships in Toblach, Italy, from 11-14 February.