Mark Arendz and Tyler Turner made headlines for Canada at the Milano-Cortina 2026 Paralympics by winning silver and bronze medals, respectively.
Mark Arendz Wins Silver in Biathlon
On February 12, 2026, Mark Arendz, a 36-year-old athlete from Hartsville, P.E.I., earned silver in the men’s standing individual biathlon at the Tesero Cross-Country Stadium. This achievement marks his 13th career Paralympic medal.
Arendz completed the 12.5-kilometre race in a time of 30 minutes and 52.5 seconds. He finished behind China’s Cai Jiayun, who clocked in at 30 minutes and 24.1 seconds, securing his second gold of the games. Germany’s Marco Maier took bronze with a time of 31 minutes and 7.3 seconds.
Arendz’s Performance and Strategy
Arendz demonstrated a nearly flawless shooting performance, missing just one of 20 shots over four rounds. He expressed pride in his ability to adapt and responded strategically to the race conditions.
“Today was a great day of just pulling out a different tactic… that paid off to silver,” Arendz commented after the event.
Tyler Turner Secures Bronze in Snowboard Cross
Earlier the same day, Tyler Turner, a 37-year-old double-amputee from Campbell River, B.C., captured bronze in the men’s snowboard cross SB-LL1 final. This event took place at the Cortina Para Snowboard Park, where Turner faced an intense competition.
Turner, the defending champion, collided during the final but was awarded bronze after a review determined the contact was not incidental. China’s Wu Zhongwei secured gold, edging out American Noah Elliott in a thrilling finish.
Turner’s Exciting Journey
Reflecting on the race, Turner said, “It was a crazy race. That’s why we love snowboard cross. It’s exciting… Unfortunately, sometimes you’re not on the winning end.” This bronze marks his third career Paralympic medal, adding to his achievements from the previous games.
Canada’s Strong Start at Milano-Cortina
- Canada has secured a total of six medals through the first two days of the event.
- Team Canada leads its wheelchair curling competition with a 2-0 record.
- Mark Ideson and his team are focused on their goal to podium in the curling tournament.
Both athletes’ remarkable performances contribute to a bright start for Canada at the 2026 Paralympics. As they continue to compete, their dedication and strategies will be crucial in pursuit of more medals for the nation.
