Ever since Ivanie Blondin, Valérie Maltais, and Isabelle Weidemann claimed team pursuit gold at the Beijing 2022 Olympics, the global speed skating community has been striving to match their success. With the upcoming Winter Games on the horizon, Canada’s reigning champions understand that complacency is not an option.
Blondin, Maltais, and Weidemann are currently in Salt Lake City for the initial World Cup event of the long track season. This event is condensed due to the upcoming Milano-Cortina 2026 Olympics in February. The trio arrived early to the Utah Olympic Oval for an intensive team pursuit-focused camp to refine their strategy and aim for a return to the top of the podium.
Although they have skated together twice previously in preparation for the 2025-26 season, this camp marks the first time they have dedicated singular focus to the discipline in which they claimed Olympic glory nearly four years ago. Their competitors have since surpassed them, prompting a reevaluation of their race tactics.
In the women’s team pursuit, two teams of three skaters each start simultaneously on opposite sides of the 400-meter oval, completing six laps. Effective teamwork and precise strategy are essential in this event, where races are often decided by tiny margins.
Reflecting on their initial collaboration at the 2019 world championships, the trio acknowledged the need for strategic evolution. Despite finishing fourth in their first team pursuit together, they encountered challenges with their race tactics. The experience motivated them to refine their approach and strive for improvement.
Individually, Weidemann, 30, secured silver in the 5,000m and bronze in the 3,000m at Beijing 2022. Blondin, 35, also earned silver in mass start, while Maltais, also 35, boasts a diverse career background, including a 2014 world championship bronze in the 1,000m and the current national title holder in the 3,000m.
Following their successful Olympic campaign, the trio clinched a world championship title in 2023. However, subsequent competitions witnessed a shift in dominance, with the Netherlands and Japan outperforming them. Blondin highlighted the necessity of adapting to new strategies to maintain their competitive edge.
As they strive to reclaim their Olympic glory in Milano-Cortina, the Canadian team remains united in their pursuit of excellence. They emphasize the importance of strong communication and mutual support to enhance their performance on and off the ice. With a renewed focus and dedication to improvement, the trio aims to push their limits and reach their full potential as a team.