Ivanie Blondin grabs 2 speed skating medals for Canada at Four Continents
The ISU Four Continents speed skating championships kicked off in Hachinohe, Japan with a bang as Ivanie Blondin led the Canadian team to victory in the women’s team sprint event. Blondin, alongside Carolina Hiller and Beatrice Lamarche, set a track record with a time of one minute 27.87 seconds. Lamarche’s slingshot move to launch Blondin into the final lap proved successful, although she believed there was room for improvement in future races.
The Canadian trio outpaced South Korea and Kazakhstan to clinch the gold medal. Blondin continued her impressive performance individually, securing a bronze medal in the women’s 1,500 meters with a time of 1:57.99. Despite feeling rushed after the team sprint, Blondin was pleased with her performance and the end result.
In the men’s team sprint event, Anders Johnson, Laurent Dubreuil, and Yankun Zhao of Canada claimed the bronze medal. The United States and China finished ahead of Canada in this discipline, showcasing the competitiveness of the field.
The championships will continue with more events on Saturday, with Canadian athletes like Ted-Jan Bloemen, Valérie Maltais, and Isabelle Weidemann aiming to add to Canada’s medal tally. The competition promises to be exciting, with top speed skaters from around the world vying for victory.
Key upcoming dates in the speed skating calendar include World Cup events in Calgary, Milwaukee, Zakopane, and Heerenveen, as well as the World Single Distance Championships in Hamar, Norway. The Canada roster boasts a talented lineup of athletes ready to take on the challenges ahead.
Stay tuned for more thrilling speed skating action as the ISU Four Continents championships unfold in Hachinohe, Japan. Follow along for updates on Canadian athletes and their quest for success on the ice.
