Ivanie Blondin (CAN) at the ISU World Speed Skating Championships 2020©International Skating Union (ISU)
Ivanie Blondin (CAN) used to be a specialist in the Speed Skating Mass Start. Last season, she won her first ISU World Cup Speed Skating race in a classic distance, taking gold in the 3000m in Erfurt, and this season she really found her groove in Nur-Sultan breaking two track records and winning three gold medals.
Blondin won the 5000m and the 1500m to conclude the weekend taking Team Pursuit gold with Valérie Maltais and Isabelle Weidemann.
"I surprised myself today. I knew that I was strong based on yesterday's training. I knew I was going to be in the mix for a top three spot," she said after winning the 1500m, in which she trashed the 2011 track record of 1:56.10, set by fellow Canadian Christine Nesbitt.
Ivanie Blondin (CAN) and Brittany Bowe (USA) after the 1500m race at the ISU World Cup Speed Skating (KAZ) 2019©International Skating Union (ISU)
"Hats off to her", said Brittany Bowe (USA), who finished third after her race. "[Blondin]'s really been skating well this year, having a lot of speed at the end of that Mass Starts, and the win in the 5k was phenomenal.”
