Canadian speedskaters back on track

Women's pursuit starts golden in Dutch bubble

Canada's elite long track speedskaters shrugged off 10 months worth of competition rust and vaulted themselves onto the World Cup podium in The Netherlands on Friday.

Women's team pursuit stars Ivanie Blondin and Isabelle Weidemann of Ottawa and Valérie Maltais of Saguenay, Que. — who finished atop the World Cup rankings last season — proved they haven't missed a beat, despite a lack of racing. With a time of 2:56.718 they took the gold medal ahead of the home team (2:57.040) and Norway (2:59.247) in the secure bubble environment established in Heerenveen by the International Skating Union.

“We surprised everyone, including ourselves,” said Blondin. “I wasn't sure what to expect; I think the three of us were pretty nervous going into it, but it went really well. There's a lot less pressure racing as a team because we have each other there as support, which is comforting. This medal is a great start, and we'll see how the rest of the races go.”

Canada's men's team of Ted-Jan Bloemen from Calgary, Jordan Belchos of Toronto and newcomer Connor Howe from Canmore, Alta. took the bronze medal behind Norway and The Netherlands.

“Third in the team pursuit is a great way to start off racing here in the hub,” said Howe. “Jordan and Ted-Jan are top long-distance skaters and have lots of experience, so they make ideal pursuit teammates. We skated well together and I'm happy that I was able to build speed during my lead in the middle of the race. Getting on the podium was special for me as it was my first time racing this event at a World Cup and also my first medal.”

Howe, 20, was skating in the spot usually occupied by Tyson Langelaar, who was invited to compete in the hub but chose not to travel from Canada.

In women's World Cup skeleton action, Jane Channell's season debut was one to remember, as she finished two runs down the track in Konigssee, Germany in a dead heat with Austria's Janine Flock. They both stopped the clock at 1:42.93, and shared the bronze.

Germany's Jacqueline Loelling took the gold in 1:42.30, Anna Fernstaedt of the Czech Republic claimed silver in 1:42.77.

It was the fourth World Cup medal of Channell's career and first in more than three years.

The North Vancouver native last stood on a podium in 2017 at Whistler.

“It feels great to be back (on the circuit) with everyone and back on the podium,” said Channell.

Channell's teammate Elisabeth Maier, who took last season off for maternity leave, finished in sixth place for a third-straight World Cup competition.

In the men's race, Kevin Boyer of Sherwood Park, Alta., was 19th and Calgary's Mark Lynch 22nd.