Weidemann discovers silver lining for Canada
TOMASZOW MAZOWIECKI, POLAND — Ottawa’s Isabelle Weidemann captured the silver medal in the women’s 5,000 metres on Sunday, the final day of races at the World Cup long-track speed skating in Tomaszow Mazowiecki, Poland.
It was her second individual podium of the season, adding to the 3,000-metre gold medal she earned two weeks ago in Tomakomai, Japan.
Weidemann skated a smooth race from start to finish, clocking in with a time of seven minutes 6.190 seconds, a little over a second behind gold medallist Esmee Visser (7:05.188) of the Netherlands. Natalia Voronina (7:08.686) of Russia rounded out the podium in bronze medal position, which pushed Ottawa’s Ivanie Blondin into fourth (7:10.220).
“I feel very happy with my race today,” said Weidemann.
“My goal was to stick to consistent lap times and I feel like I executed that. I’ve been nervous the past couple of weeks, after winning in Japan, because I wanted to prove that my result wasn’t a fluke. I have lots to work on still, but I’m excited for the opportunity to race next weekend in Heerenveen.”
Valerie Maltais of Saguenay, Que., came second in the Division B women’s 5,000 metres with a time of 7:17.628. She will get the opportunity to test herself against competitors from the top grouping in that distance at next week’s World Cup in Heerenveen, the Netherlands.