Canada's Mark Arendz captures gold at Para biathlon World Cup opener

Canadian Para biathlete Mark Arendz continued his winning ways to open the World Cup season on Thursday, taking home gold in the men's standing 7.5-kilometre sprint in Vuokatti, Finland.

The two-time Paralympic biathlon champion from Hartsville, P.E.I., shot clean in both rounds and finished 12 seconds ahead of runner-up Serhii Romaniuk of Ukraine with a time of 19 minutes 15.5 seconds.

The 34-year-old Arendz captured the men's overall World Cup title last season after going undefeated. He is an eight-time Paralympic medallist in the discipline.

WATCH l Arendz looks to level up this season:

Fellow Canadian Natalie Wilkie also started the season strong in Vuokatti with a bronze medal in the women's standing event. The 23-year-old from Salmon Arm, B.C., finished the race in 21:44.7, hitting eight of 10 targets across the two rounds.

China's Guo Yujie (21:13.9) topped the podium, while Ukraine's Liudmyla Liashenko edged Wilkie for silver with a time of 21:44.7. 

Prince Albert, Sask.'s Brittany Hudak placed sixth (22:10.5).

Collin Cameron of Bracebridge, Ont., returned to biathlon World Cup racing on Thursday after struggling with injuries last summer. The 36-year-old clocked 0:23:49.4 to finish fifth in the men's sitting event despite missing two shots.

Smoky Lake, Alta., native Derek Zaplotinsky finished two spots behind Cameron in 24:13.1.

Canada's Para biathletes will return to action for the 12.5km individual races on Saturday.