Valérie Maltais and her team pursuit teammates, Ivanie Blondin and Isabelle Weidemann, won a second silver medal in two weeks on Sunday at the Long Track Speed Skating World Cup in Calgary, Alberta.
Second last weekend in Salt Lake City, the Canadians did it again by finishing once again on the second step of the podium, after completing the distance in 2 min 52.68 s.
The strategy was the same as seven days ago for the Canadian trio: Isabelle Weidemann remained at the front of the group throughout the race, followed in order by Maltais and Blondin. Skating in the last pair of the day with the Americans, the representatives of the maple leaf put their foot on the accelerator in the second portion of the race to secure their silver medal.
The Dutch were the fastest in 2 min 52.52 s while the Japanese (+0.56 seconds) completed the podium.
We were very happy with our race. It was a great battle and a big effort in the last lap to try to go faster than the Dutch. We had good speed and endurance, which is a very good sign. There was a little lack of synchronism towards the end, but it’s still very positive.
Valérie Maltais
Later on Sunday, Valérie Maltais came close to adding a third medal to her weekend haul in the mass start. At the front of the peloton in the last two laps, the Quebecer finally saw her compatriot Ivanie Blondin get ahead of her to eventually win.
Maltais then slipped to fourth behind Dutchwoman Marijke Groenewoud and American Mia Manganello.
“It was completely different from what we saw last week, but I managed to do well. I didn’t hesitate to follow my instinct, especially because there was a lot of action. With two laps to go, I was caught on the inside and I came out a little to put myself in a better position. This allowed me to find myself at the front and start the sprint. It came really close, I’m really happy. »
The Quebecer will therefore leave Calgary with two medals, a bronze won in the 5000 m on Friday and a silver in the team pursuit. Maltais also improved his personal best in the 1500m, winning Group B on Saturday with a time of 1:52.56.
“It was an incredible race in the 1500m, I can’t believe it yet. I wasn’t focused on my result, I was focused on how I was skating. I beat my personal best by 1.5 seconds, people were telling me I was breaking my records as if I was still in juniors. I am happy to reconnect with group A,” she rejoiced.
PHOTO SERGEI BELSKI, IMAGN IMAGES PROVIDED BY REUTERS CONNECT
Isabelle Weidemann, Valerie Maltais and Ivanie Blondin
“It’s a really satisfying end to the week. I was focused on my execution and strategies, but I still had expectations for results. All my races have brought me a lot of satisfaction,” added Maltais.
For her part, Béatrice Lamarche obtained the best ranking of her career in Group A in the 500m with an eighth place (37.39 s) in an event where the Dutch stormed into the top -5.
“My ninth place last week was my best result ever and I’m already looking for one more place this week. I got closer to my personal best on ice a little slower than Salt Lake City. I’m super happy! My start limits me a little compared to the 500m specialists, but I am able to have a good complete lap afterwards. It bodes well for the rest of the season,” commented Lamarche, who was the fourth fastest over the last 400 meters on Sunday.
Femke Kok won the gold medal, accompanied on the podium by her compatriots Jutta Leerdam (+0.29 seconds) and Marrit Flederrus (+0.36 seconds), who both achieved personal bests.
On the men’s side, Laurent Dubreuil ranked 11e of the 500 in 34.19 s. Also in this event, Cédrick Brunet finished 17e rank (+0.68 seconds).
PHOTO JEFF MCINTOSH, THE CANADIAN PRESS
Laurent Dubreuil
Bronze medalist in the mass start a week ago in Salt Lake City, Antoine Gélinas-Beaulieu this time finished at 16e rank in this event won by the Italian and reigning world champion Andrea Giovannini.
Earlier, in the Group B races, David La Rue took part in the team pursuit with Jake Weidemann and Daniel Hall where they finished third.
In the 500 m, Christopher Fiola is 12e level among the men while Rose Laliberté-Roy finished 20e on the female side.
The next Long Track Speed Skating World Cup will take place in Heerenveen, Netherlands, from December 5-7.
One last victory in the country for Ivanie Blondin
The victory of Canadian Ivanie Blondin in the mass start in the World Cup had a special flavor on Sunday, being her last victory in the country.
PHOTO JEFF MCINTOSH, THE CANADIAN PRESS
Ivanie Blondin
The 35-year-old speed skater, who plans to retire after this season, was cheered by the crowd when she took the lead in a frantic home stretch – in the most chaotic race in long track skating.
“The crowd was going wild. It’s probably my last World Cup here, at home, so I’m a little emotional, I haven’t really realized yet what happened, said Blondin. I will probably be more moved later. »
A silver medalist in the mass start at the 2022 Olympics, she has been training at the Oval for almost half her life.
She competed in numerous World Cup and World Championship competitions there.
“My family was there. I had my sponsors and a bunch of friends with me, said Blondin. I really wanted to win. »
Blondin has won 88 World Cup medals, including 11 in the mass start.
Donna Spencer, The Canadian Press
