Ivanie Blondin and Valérie Maltais made World Cup speed skating history on Sunday, becoming the first Canadians to share the medal podium in the mass start.
With eight laps to go, Maltais and Momoka Horikawa broke away from the crowd and traded leads before the Japanese athlete crossed the finish line first and claimed her first gold medal of her career.
The 32-year-old Maltais clocked eight minutes, 58.56 seconds in the silver medal position, while Blondin finished in Tomaszow Mazowiecki, Poland, 1-10 seconds ahead of Italy’s Laura Peveri in 9:03.51, earning the overall title of the season secured .
With 435 points, the Ottawa native edged out Dutch skater Marijke Groenewoud (424), who did not compete this weekend. Maltais finished sixth with 341 points.
“I’m very happy with this podium today,” Maltais told Speed Skating Canada of her first career single-distance medal at the racetrack. “My goal since the beginning of the season has been to get on the podium over this distance. I’ve come close a few times, but never close enough.
CLOCK | Maltais, Blondin 2nd-3rd in Poland Women’s Mass Start:
“Today I wanted to find the moment to break free and I’m glad it worked. Momoka and I worked together when we broke away from the rest of the pack.”
It was the second international mass start podium for Maltais, who were victorious at the Four Continents Championships in Quebec City in December.
Dubreuil’s best of the season in the men’s 500m
In the men’s competition, Laurent Dubreuil of Lévis, Que., failed to make it onto the podium on Sunday, but was presented with his third World Cup trophy of the season for his second place in the World Cup 1,000 Total Score with 231 points team sprints on Friday.
The 30-year-old was also the top 500-distance skater that season, winning the overall title by a margin of 30 points on Saturday.
The Canadian endurance team finishes the World Cup season with an impressive 30 medals, including eight gold, 14 silver and eight bronze medals across six events.
Isabelle Weidemann (3,000/5,000m) of Ottawa and Connor Howe (1,500) of Canmore, Alta, finished second overall in their distance rankings while the women led in the team pursuit. Canada’s men and women placed second in the team sprint.
The international long-track season finale, the World Championships, takes place from March 2nd to 5th in Heerenveen, The Netherlands. Live streaming coverage will be available on the CBC Sports and Radio-Canada platforms.
Other Canadian Results Sunday:
1,000 meters women
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Ivanie Blondin: 13
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Maddison Pearman: 14
men 1,000
CLOCK | Full coverage of Sunday’s women’s mass start:
