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In a display of exceptional skill and teamwork, Canada’s speed skating team wrapped up a thrilling weekend at the ISU Speed Skating World Cup held in Hamar, Norway. The competition brought together top athletes from around the globe, but it was the Canadian women’s team that truly stood out, clinching the gold medal in the team pursuit event.
The trio of Valérie Maltais, Ivanie Blondin, and Isabelle Weidemann showcased their determination and strategic prowess, finishing the race in 2:57.20. This remarkable time allowed them to edge out the United States, who clocked in at 2:57.29, and Japan, which finished at 2:58.62. Their victory not only marked a significant achievement for the athletes but also highlighted a resurgence for the Canadian team after a challenging previous season.
Overcoming challenges in team pursuit
Despite starting the final race with the third slowest time among competitors, Canada demonstrated their resilience. Over the course of the race, they steadily closed the gap between themselves and the American team, ultimately overtaking them in the final 200 meters. Weidemann, reflecting on the experience, noted, “I knew we had fallen behind at the start. It was a struggle to catch up, but we pushed hard in the last few laps and made it work just in time.”
A history of strong performances
This victory in Hamar signifies Canada’s first triumph in the women’s team pursuit at a World Cup event since January in Salt Lake City. Earlier this season, the same trio had already secured silver medals in Salt Lake City and Calgary, demonstrating a shift in performance from the previous year when they struggled to reach the podium. With this latest win, they concluded the World Cup season with a total of 169 points, putting them ahead of Japan, which finished with 156 points.
Individual achievements boost team confidence
The success of the Canadian team extended beyond the team pursuit. On the same day, Ivanie Blondin added a bronze medal to her tally in the women’s mass start event. Competing fiercely, she trailed the Dutch skater Marijke Groenewoud for much of the race but ultimately finished with a time of 8:24.47, just behind Groenewoud’s 8:24.28. Bente Kerkhoff, also from the Netherlands, secured the gold with a time of 8:23.19, while Maltais finished closely behind in fifth place.
Reflections on the competition
In an interview after the race, Blondin shared her thoughts on her performance, stating, “The first half of the mass start season had its ups and downs, but today felt different. I expected the Dutch competitors to attack together, but they maintained a steady pace throughout, which changed my strategy.” After an intense five-week stretch of competitions and training, Blondin expressed her eagerness for a brief respite before the upcoming Canada Cup in Quebec City, scheduled for January 3-6. This event is crucial as it will determine the remaining Olympic team spots for the upcoming Winter Games in Milan Cortina, Italy.
As the international speed skating season nears its conclusion, the Canadian team looks ahead to the final World Cup stop in Inzell, Germany, which will take place shortly before the Winter Olympics. With their recent performances, the athletes not only solidify their standings but also inspire confidence as they prepare to face tough competition on the Olympic stage.