Canadian speed skater Ivanie Blondin celebrated a memorable World Cup mass start victory in Calgary, knowing it could be her final triumph on home ice as she plans to retire after this season. The 35-year-old thrilled the crowd at the Olympic Oval with a strong finish in the chaotic long-track race, expressing her emotions about the special moment. Having trained at the Oval for a significant part of her career and with her family, sponsors, and friends present, Blondin was determined to seize the win.
Blondin, a silver medallist in the Olympic mass start in 2022, has amassed an impressive collection of 88 World Cup medals, including 11 golds in the mass start event. The mass start race, characterized by its cat-and-mouse passing tactics and body contact akin to short track, saw Blondin and her Canadian teammate Valérie Maltais, who finished fourth, showcasing their skills honed from a short track background.
The Dutch skater Marijke Groenewoud claimed second place, while American Mia Manganello narrowly edged out Maltais for the final podium spot. The Canadian team’s success continued with a silver in the women’s team pursuit, where they finished behind the Netherlands. The Canadians, reigning Olympic champions in the event, maintained their strong performance from the previous week in Salt Lake City.
The Canadian team enjoyed a fruitful weekend in Calgary, securing a total of four medals across various events, setting a positive tone for the upcoming World Cups in Heerenveen, the Netherlands, and Hamar, Norway. With the Winter Olympics in Milan Cortina approaching, Canadian skaters like Maltais and Blondin are in fine form, aiming to carry their momentum into the prestigious global event.