Canada’s speed skating team excelled on Sunday, securing victory in the team pursuit event led by the top-ranked women. Valérie Maltais, Ivanie Blondin, and Isabelle Weidemann clinched the gold medal in a time of 2 minutes and 57.20 seconds in Hamar, Norway, outpacing the United States and Japan. Despite a slow start, the Canadian team gradually closed the gap and surged past the U.S. in the final 200 meters.
Weidemann, reflecting on the race, admitted to the team’s initial setback but credited their collective effort in making up for lost time towards the end. This win marked Canada’s first World Cup triumph in women’s team pursuit since January 2024 in Salt Lake City. The trio of Weidemann, Maltais, and Blondin had previously secured silver medals in Salt Lake City and Calgary earlier in the season, a significant improvement from last year’s medal-less performance.
With the World Cup season concluded, Canada’s women’s speed skating team, reigning Olympic champions, finished atop the rankings with 169 points, surpassing Japan’s 156 points. Weidemann expressed satisfaction with their performance, highlighting the team’s strategic approach and hard work.
Looking ahead to the Olympics, Weidemann anticipates fierce competition among the top teams vying for podium placements. Blondin added to Canada’s medal tally by claiming a bronze in the women’s mass start event, contributing to the team’s total of 15 medals across four events this season.
The speed skaters will now take a break before the Canada Cup in Quebec City from January 3 to 6, where the remaining Olympic team spots for the upcoming Winter Games in Milan Cortina will be determined. The international speed skating circuit will culminate with a final World Cup event in Inzell, Germany, before the focus shifts to the Winter Olympics in Italy.