By The Canadian Press

Canadian speedskating women win team pursuit gold; finish World Cup season ranked 1st

Dec 14, 2025 | 11:12 AM

HAMAR — Ivanie Blondin helped Canada win gold in the team pursuit before adding a bronze in the women’s mass start event on Sunday at an ISU World Cup Speed Skating competition.

Ottawa’s Isabelle Weidemann, Valerie Maltais of La Baie, Que., and Blondin, also from Ottawa, overcame a slow start for their first team pursuit gold of 2025.

The Canadians gradually chipped away at the lead, overtaking their opponents in the final 200 metres to earn the top spot.

“I slipped off the start and we were chasing the whole time,” Weidemann said. “We were just trying to make up the time in the last few laps and we managed — barely.”

Canada secured gold in two minutes 57.20 seconds, finishing just ahead of the United States (2:57.29). Japan took the bronze (2:58.62).

storm

Power out for over 15,000 BC Hydro customers across Nanaimo & Oceanside

3h ago

more rain

'High impact' warning as heavy rain returns, causing more flooding concerns in B.C.

5h ago

fisheries act

'Deplorable:' fishing violations net $30,000 fine for Gabriola Island woman

8h ago

It was Canada’s first World Cup victory in the women’s team pursuit since January 2024 in Salt Lake City.

Weidemann, Maltais and Blondin also won silver earlier this season in Salt Lake City and Calgary, after not reaching the podium during last season’s campaign.

The defending Olympic champions finished the World Cup season ranked first overall (169 points), slightly ahead of Japan (156 points).

In the women’s mass start event, the 35-year-old Blondin shadowed Dutch rival Marijke Groenewoud for much of the race but was unable to overtake her in the final sprint.

The Canadian crossed the line in 8:24.47 to take bronze, narrowly behind Groenewoud (8:24.28) and winner Bente Kerkhoff of the Netherlands (8:23.19). Maltais finished fifth (8:24.89).

Canada’s top speedskaters return to action at the Jan. 3-6 Long Track Canada Cup in Quebec City, where the remaining team spots will be filled for the 2026 Milan Cortina Olympics.

The 2025-26 international speedskating season features one last World Cup stop in Inzell, Germany, from Jan. 23-25. Team pursuit races are not on the schedule.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Dec. 14, 2025.

The Canadian Press