It was the biathlon middle distance competitions that were up for contention in a blustery Canmore with six races taking place.

The windy conditions particularly affected the two early events that saw a lot of wayward shooting in the men's 12.5 kilometre sitting race and the women's 10km sitting race.

It was the Russian athletes who adapted best to the conditions as Vancouver 2010 bronze medallist Roman Petushkov and short distance world champion Grigory Murygin took gold and bronze respectively in the men's event, with silver going to Japan's Kozo Kubo, his second in as many days.

Marta Zaynullina also repeated her performance from yesterday as she took gold in the women's race, leading home the all-Russian podium, which was completed by Nadezda Andreeva and Natalia Kocherova.

It was home favourite Mark Arendz's turn to be the odd one out as he finished second in the men's 12.5km standing event in what was something of a surprise result, with Russia's Aleksandr Iaremchuk taking top spot and compatriot Azat Karachurin claiming the bronze medal.

The Canadian, who took short distance gold at the World Championships earlier this year, rued his two missed shots in the shooting phase that ultimately cost him victory.

"I totally rushed the last shot," he admitted.

"I started to get up before I had finished and that's what caused the miss.

"With the incredible field of athletes out here you have to shoot clean."

Mark Arendz had to settle for second in the 12.5km standing race as wayward shooting cost him the top spot ©Getty Images