Canadian speed skater Ivanie Blondin celebrated a memorable victory in the World Cup mass start event on Sunday, marking her final win on Canadian soil before her planned retirement. The 35-year-old athlete received a thunderous ovation at Calgary’s Olympic Oval as she surged ahead in the intense final stretch of long-track speed skating’s most frenetic race.
Blondin, who claimed a silver medal in the Olympic mass start event in 2022, expressed her emotional connection to the event, stating, “The crowd was incredible. It’s likely my last World Cup here at home, so it’s a bit emotional, although it hasn’t fully sunk in yet. Perhaps after a beer, I’ll get even more emotional.”
Having trained at the Oval for nearly half of her life and competed in numerous World Cups and world championships there, Blondin emphasized the significance of her win, especially with her family, sponsors, and friends present to witness the victory.
With a career tally of 88 World Cup medals, including 11 mass start golds, Blondin showcased her prowess in the 16-lap mass start race, known for its strategic passing maneuvers and physical contact reminiscent of short track speed skating. Joining her in the competition was Canadian teammate Valérie Maltais, who narrowly missed the podium with a fourth-place finish.
The Dutch skater Marijke Groenewoud claimed the second spot, while American Mia Manganello edged out Maltais for third place by a mere three-hundredths of a second. The event saw both Blondin and Maltais, who finished fourth, drawing on their short track backgrounds before transitioning to long track speed skating.
Following their success in the mass start event, Blondin, Isabelle Weidemann, and Maltais secured a silver medal in the women’s team pursuit competition, finishing behind the Netherlands. The Canadian team’s consistent performance added to their previous silver medal in Salt Lake City, highlighting their readiness for the upcoming Olympic Games in Milan Cortina, Italy.
The Canadian team’s strong showing at the World Cup in Calgary, where they collected four medals, underscores their competitive edge heading into the next World Cup events in Europe. Maltais, in particular, showcased her form with five medals in the first two World Cups of the season, reflecting on her improved execution and performance under heightened expectations.
In other events, American skater Jordan Stolz continued his impressive run with a victory in the 500m race, adding to his previous wins in the 1,000m and 1,500m events. The Dutch dominance was evident in the women’s 500m race, where Femke Kok secured her second gold medal in consecutive days.
As the Canadian team prepares for upcoming World Cup competitions in the Netherlands and Norway, their strong performances in Calgary set a positive tone for their future endeavors on the international speed skating stage.