(Calgary) Ivanie Blondin returned to the podium in her signature race as Connor Howe and Hayden Mayeur took advantage of the chaos on the final day of the Calgary Long Track Speed Skating World Cup.
The Canadians picked up three medals in Sunday’s mass start competitions.
Irene Schouten of the Netherlands won the women’s mass start at the University of Calgary Olympic Oval. She beat Blondin, who won the silver medal. The two women also held these positions during the Olympic Games in Beijing in February.
It was the third medal in as many days for Blondin, who took bronze in the 5,000 meters and added a silver medal in the women’s team sprint.
The mass start final was his third race of the day.
It’s a lot, but I think I ran my race well. I’m exhausted right now and need a little vacation. Schouten distanced himself in the final sprint but I can do so much with my legs on such a big day and weekend.
Ivanie Blonde
Blondin, a two-time world champion in the discipline, was disqualified from her first race in Calgary last week for blocking other skaters.
Dutch Marijke Groenewoud climbed to the third step of the podium on Sunday, more than a second behind Schouten.
Quebec’s Valérie Maltais recorded an 11e Square.
In the men’s mass start, a South Korean and an Italian in the lead touched in the final corner.
Howe and Mayeur maintained their poise and composure to capture their first career medal in the discipline behind Belgian Bart Swings. Howe won silver and Mayeur bronze.
“It was really crazy,” Howe said. Skaters everywhere, at high speed, and two guys colliding on the last corner. You have to put yourself in the right position and then a bit of luck is also part of it. »
Short track speed skating experience helps Blondin and Mayeur decide when to attempt a maneuver in the peloton.
You can’t really prepare for the mass start. Everything changes every half turn. There is a lead change, a speed change, and skaters may fall. It was the first mass start where Connor and I were in the final together. We were both on the right lap at the right time.
Hayden Mayer
Canada won 10 medals at this World Cup, including two gold medals. The Netherlands dominated with a total of 22 medals, including nine gold medals.
American Jordan Stolz won the gold medal in the men’s 1,000 meters with a time of 1:06.72. Dutchman Thomas Krol (1:07.16) and Italian David Bosa (1:07.24) completed the podium.
Howe was the highest placed Canadian with his fifth place finish. Quebecers Antoine Gélinas-Beaulieu, ninth, and Laurent Dubreuil, 11ealso took part in this final.
Jutta Leerdam from the Netherlands won the women’s race with a time of 1:12.53. She beat Japan’s Miho Takagi (1:13.19) and America’s Kimi Goetz (1:13.58).
Blondin signed a sixth place finish.
“It’s exhausting, but I think my approach is I try to be a warrior every weekend. I think that gets me through it,” Blondin said. With all the training I’ve had with the men this year, I know it’s possible for me to get on the podium. »
The long-distance speed skating World Cup course will be reopened in February with two stations in Poland.
The World Championships will take place in Heerenveen, the Netherlands, from March 2nd to 5th.
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