Listen to this article
Approximately 4 minutes
The audio version of this article was created using artificial intelligence technology. Pronunciation errors may occur. We work with our partners to continually analyze and improve results.
Canada's speed skating team continued its medal-rich season on Sunday, led by its women's first-place finish in the team pursuit.
Valérie Malthe, Ivanie Blondin and Isabelle Weidemann won gold in two minutes, 57.20 seconds, beating the United States (2:57.29) and Japan (2:58.62) in Hamar, Norway.
Canada, which had the third slowest start among the four teams, took the lead and passed the United States in the final 200 meters.
“I knew we were behind. I took off from the start and we were chasing the whole time. We were just trying to make up time in the last few laps and we had a hard time doing it,” said Weidemann, an Ottawa native who On Saturday she collected silver in the women's 3000 meters.
“I know the girls talk a little behind me, but in front I can barely hear them. I just try to go as hard as I can from the start and keep a consistent pace. So, I didn’t really know where we were, but I knew we were a little behind.”
It was Canada's first world championship victory in the women's team pursuit since January 2024 in Salt Lake City.
Weidemann, Maltais and Blondin also won silver earlier this season in Salt Lake City and Calgary after missing a medal last season.
Canada's Valerie Malthe, Ivanie Blondin and Isabelle Weidemann won gold Sunday in the team pursuit at the World Cup of Speed Skating in Hamar, Norway.
The reigning Olympic champions finished the World Cup season in first place in the overall standings (169 points), ahead of Japan (156 points).
“We are very happy. Last year we really struggled and weren't even close to the overall ranking, so having good results with two silvers and a gold gives us a lot of confidence in the strategy we're using and the work we've put in,” Weidemann said.
“It will be a good fight” at the Olympic Games
“There are four or five teams that are really strong and have a chance to get on the podium at the Olympics and we're trying to put pressure on them. It's going to be a good fight for sure.”
Ottawa's Isabelle Weidemann won the World Cup speed skating silver medal in the 3,000 meters on Saturday in Hamar, Norway.
Blonde, who is also from Ottawa, won bronze in the women's mass start on Sunday, bringing the Canadian long track team's season tally to 15 medals across four events.
The 35-year-old trailed Dutch rival Marijke Groenewoud for most of the race but was unable to pass her in the final sprint and crossed the line in 8:24.47, slightly behind Groenewoud (8:24.28). Bente Kerkhoff from the Netherlands won in 8:23.19.
Maltese from La Baie, Quebec was fifth (8:24.89).
“I think the first half of the mass start season went well, but some mistakes were made. I just have to keep learning from them,” Blondin said. “Today was a completely different race. I thought the Dutch would attack at the same time, but they didn't because the pace was high throughout the race.
“It's been a long five weeks for me. I've been training on top of competing at almost every distance, so I'm looking forward to a little break.”
The Canadian will remain idle until the Canada Cup, which takes place Jan. 3-6 in Quebec, where the remaining spots on Milan Cortina's Olympic team will be filled in February.
The international speed skating season includes the final World Cup event in Inzell, Germany, before the Winter Games in Italy.
Ivanie Blondin of Ottawa won a bronze medal in the women's mass start race Sunday at the World Cup of Speed Skating in Hamar, Norway.
More Canadian results on Sunday
Women's 500 meters.
- Caroline Hillier-Donnelly: 11th place
- Brooklyn McDougall: 15th place
- Beatrice Lamarche: 17th place
Men, 500
- Cedric Brunet: 19th place
- Laurent Dubreuil: 20th place
Men's mass start
- Jake Weidemann: 7th place
- Antoine Gelinas-Beaulieu: 11th place
