Canadian speed skater Ivanie Blondin celebrated her last victory on home ice by winning the World Cup mass start event in Calgary. The 35-year-old athlete, who is set to retire after this season, received a warm reception from the crowd at the Olympic Oval as she seized the lead during the thrilling final stretch of the race.
Expressing her emotions, Blondin shared, “The crowd was insane. It’s most likely my last World Cup here at home, so a little bit emotional, hasn’t really hit yet. Once maybe I have a beer, I’ll probably get a little more emotional.” Having trained at the Calgary Oval for a significant portion of her career and competed in various World Cup and world championship races, she was determined to clinch the victory, especially with her family, sponsors, and friends present to witness her success.
With a career tally of 88 World Cup medals, including 11 golds in mass start events, Blondin’s expertise in the 16-lap mass start race, characterized by its strategic passing maneuvers and physical interactions akin to short track, was evident. Alongside her Canadian teammate Valérie Maltais, who finished fourth, both skaters transitioned from short track backgrounds to excel in long track speed skating.
In the women’s team pursuit event, Ottawa’s Blondin, Isabelle Weidemann, and Maltais secured a silver medal behind the Netherlands, showcasing their prowess as reigning Olympic champions. The Canadian team’s impressive performance at the World Cup in Calgary resulted in a total of four medals – one gold, one silver, and two bronze – setting a positive tone for the upcoming Olympic Games in Milan Cortina, Italy.
Maltais, a seasoned competitor at 35 years old, demonstrated her medal-winning potential by claiming five podium finishes in the season’s first two World Cup competitions. Reflecting on her achievements, she highlighted the importance of adapting to competition expectations and executing her plans effectively, expressing pride in her performance.
In other events, American skater Jordan Stolz emerged victorious in the men’s 500m race, securing his third win in Calgary, while Polish athlete Damian Żurek and South Korean skater Jun-Ho Kim joined him on the podium. The Dutch dominated the women’s 500m event, with Femke Kok securing another gold medal, and the United States triumphed in the men’s team pursuit.
As the Canadian team prepares for upcoming World Cup competitions in Europe, the athletes look to build on their recent successes and continue their pursuit of excellence in speed skating.