Canada’s speed skaters hope for a strong finish at the world championships
Canada’s long-track speed skaters had a challenging season, experiencing a decline in their medal count compared to the previous year. Despite winning 23 medals, including five golds in the 2023-24 World Cup season, they only managed to secure 16 total medals and two golds this year. This placed Canada in seventh for total medals, a drop from their fourth-place ranking last season.
The world single-distances championships are currently taking place in Norway, and it seems likely that Canada will see another decline in their medal count. Last year, at the event held in Calgary, Canadian skaters brought home a record-breaking 10 medals, trailing behind only the dominant Netherlands who secured 13 medals. Competing far from home at the end of a mediocre season will present challenges for the Canadian team to replicate such success.
Nevertheless, Canada has some strong contenders vying for medals at the championships in the Hamar Olympic Hall, also known as the Vikingskipet (Viking Ship). Ivanie Blondin, a five-time world champion and double Olympic medallist, leads the Canadian team with eight World Cup podium finishes this season. Notable achievements include a surprising victory in the 3,000m race in Japan, Canada’s only solo gold of the season. Blondin also excelled in the mass start events, securing silver and bronze medals in the final two World Cup races.
On the men’s side, Laurent Dubreuil, a 32-year-old sprinter, is a key athlete for Canada. Dubreuil has a strong track record, winning the men’s 500m race at the 2021 world championships and taking silver in the same event in the past two years. He also claimed an Olympic silver in the 1,000m in 2022 and contributed to Canada’s back-to-back world titles in the men’s team sprint. Despite facing a groin injury midway through the season, Dubreuil managed to secure six medals, finishing second in the men’s 500m standings.
The full list of Canadian competitors includes Ted-Jan Bloemen, Laurent Dubreuil, Christopher Fiola, Graeme Fish, Connor Howe, Anders Johnson, David La Rue, Ivanie Blondin, Laura Hall, Rose Laliberté-Roy, Béatrice Lamarche, Valerie Maltais, Brooklyn McDougall, and Isabelle Weidemann. The races will be streamed live on CBCSports.ca and CBC Gem, with additional coverage on CBC TV. Fans can catch the action starting Thursday at 1 p.m. ET.
