Key Takeaways
- Canada wins gold in the team pursuit event at the ISU World Cup Speed Skating, with Ivanie Blondin, Isabelle Weidemann, and Valerie Maltais making up the team
- Ivanie Blondin also wins bronze in the women’s mass start event, bringing Canada’s total medal count to 15 across four events
- Canada ranks first overall in the women’s team pursuit with 169 points, ahead of Japan with 156 points
- The Canadian speed skating team has a few weeks off before competing in the Long Track Canada Cup in Quebec City, where remaining Olympic team spots will be filled
- The 2025-26 international speed skating season concludes with a final World Cup stop in Inzell before the 2026 Olympic Winter Games in Milano-Cortina
Introduction to the Event
The final day of the ISU World Cup Speed Skating event before the holidays saw Canada’s speed skating team achieve great success, with Ivanie Blondin playing a crucial role in the team’s victories. Blondin, along with teammates Isabelle Weidemann and Valerie Maltais, helped Canada win gold in the team pursuit event, and later went on to win bronze in the women’s mass start event. This brought Canada’s total medal count to 15 across four events, a significant achievement for the team.
The Team Pursuit Event
The team pursuit event saw Canada’s Weidemann, Maltais, and Blondin overcome a slow start to take the top spot on the podium. Despite being the third slowest in the field, the Canadian team gradually chipped away at the lead, overtaking their opponents in the final 200 meters to earn the gold medal. Canada secured the gold with a time of 2 minutes 57.20 seconds, narrowly ahead of the United States, who finished with a time of 2:57.29. Japan rounded out the podium, taking the bronze medal with a time of 2:58.62. This victory marked Canada’s first World Cup win in the women’s team pursuit since January 2024 in Salt Lake City.
The Women’s Mass Start Event
In the women’s mass start event, Ivanie Blondin put in a strong performance, shadowing Dutch rival Marijke Groenewoud for much of the race. However, Blondin was unable to overtake Groenewoud in the final sprint, crossing the line with a time of 8:24.47 to take the bronze medal. The race was won by Bente Kerkhoff of the Netherlands, who broke away following the final intermediate sprint lap and never looked back, finishing with a time of 8:23.19. Fellow Canadian Valerie Maltais finished just off the podium in fifth place, with a time of 8:24.89.
Canada’s Ranking and Upcoming Events
The Canadian team’s victory in the team pursuit event has secured their ranking as first overall, with 169 points, slightly ahead of Japan, who has 156 points. The team’s success is a testament to their hard work and dedication, and they will look to build on this momentum in the upcoming events. Canada’s top speed skaters have a few weeks off before competing in the Long Track Canada Cup from January 3-6, 2026, in Quebec City, where the remaining Olympic team spots will be filled. The 2025-26 international speed skating season features one last World Cup stop in Inzell, from January 23-25, before the 2026 Olympic Winter Games in Milano-Cortina get underway in early February.
Conclusion and Future Prospects
In conclusion, Canada’s speed skating team has had a successful season so far, with 15 medals across four events. The team’s victory in the team pursuit event and Blondin’s bronze medal in the women’s mass start event are a testament to their skill and determination. As the team looks to the future, they will focus on preparing for the upcoming events, including the Long Track Canada Cup and the 2026 Olympic Winter Games. With their current ranking and momentum, the Canadian team is well-positioned to make a strong showing in the upcoming competitions.