Canadian speed skater Ivanie Blondin celebrated a triumphant victory in the World Cup mass start event held on Sunday, which carried a special significance as it marked her final win on home turf. The 35-year-old athlete, set to retire after this season, thrilled the crowd at Calgary’s Olympic Oval as she surged ahead in the frenzied home stretch of the long-track race known for its chaos.
Blondin, who claimed an Olympic mass start silver medal in 2022, has dedicated almost half of her life to training at the Oval and has competed in numerous World Cups and world championships at the venue. Expressing her emotions after the win, she 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.” She added, “Once maybe I have a beer, I’ll probably get a little more emotional.”
Having won a total of 88 World Cup medals, including 11 golds in the mass start discipline throughout her career, Blondin’s victory was a testament to her skill and determination. The mass start race, consisting of 16 laps with three intermediate sprints, involves a strategic passing approach akin to short track speed skating, with elements of body contact.
Blondin and her Canadian teammate, Valérie Maltais, who finished fourth in the event, both transitioned from short track backgrounds before focusing on long track speed skating. The race saw Marijke Groenewoud from the Netherlands securing the second position, while American athlete Mia Manganello narrowly edged out Maltais for the third spot.
The Canadian team’s success continued with a silver medal in the women’s team pursuit event earlier in the day, where they finished behind the Netherlands, the reigning Olympic champions in the discipline. Reflecting on their performance, Isabelle Weidemann highlighted the team’s consistency and improvement, emphasizing the importance of maintaining their strong form leading up to the upcoming Olympic Games in Milan Cortina, Italy.
The Canadian contingent at the World Cup in Calgary amassed a total of four medals – one gold, one silver, and two bronze – showcasing their prowess on the ice. Valérie Maltais, a standout performer, clinched bronze in the women’s 3,000 meters, while Ted-Jan Bloemen from Calgary secured bronze in the men’s 5,000 meters on the opening day of competition at the Oval.
Maltais, having accumulated five medals across two World Cup events this season, expressed her satisfaction with her performance, noting the adjustment in executing plans with higher expectations during the recent competition. The speed skater emphasized the importance of adapting to the pressure and delivering consistent results, highlighting her pride in her achievements.
In other events, American speed skater Jordan Stolz dominated the men’s 500m race to claim his third victory in Calgary, following his earlier successes in the 1,000m and 1,500m events. The Dutch team showcased their strength in the women’s 500m, securing the top four positions, with world-record holder Femke Kok earning her second gold medal in as many days.
As the Canadian team prepares for upcoming World Cup events in Europe, including competitions in Heerenveen, the Netherlands, and Hamar, Norway, their strong performance in Calgary has set a positive tone for their future endeavors on the international stage.