Following their triumphant victory at the Beijing 2022 Olympics, speed skaters Ivanie Blondin, Valérie Maltais, and Isabelle Weidemann have become the target for competitors worldwide, prompting them to stay ahead of the game as they gear up for the upcoming Winter Games.

As defending Olympic champions from Canada, the trio is currently in Salt Lake City for the initial World Cup event of the long track season, a condensed schedule due to the approaching Milano-Cortina 2026 in February.

Arriving in Utah ahead of their Canadian teammates, Blondin, Maltais, and Weidemann are focusing on team pursuit at a dedicated camp in preparation for the season. Their aim is to refine their strategy to reclaim the top spot on the podium.

Although they have skated together twice before, this camp marks the first time they are solely concentrating on the discipline in which they secured Olympic gold nearly four years ago. Following recent advancements by their competitors, the trio is exploring new race tactics.

In the women’s team pursuit event, two groups of three skaters start simultaneously on opposite sides of the 400-meter oval, completing a total of six laps. The clock stops only after all three skaters have crossed the finish line, with team members taking turns leading to minimize wind resistance.

Reflecting on their initial team pursuit experience at the 2019 world championships, the skaters recalled finishing fourth despite limited experience and evolving race strategies. Their journey since then has been marked by adaptation and a quest for improved performance.

The trio, consisting of individual stars in their own right, has honed their teamwork to blend individual strengths effectively. This collaborative approach propelled them to an Olympic record-setting victory against Japan at Beijing 2022, a defining moment that continues to inspire their pursuit of excellence.

While the team has encountered challenges in recent competitions, their commitment to refining strategies and pushing boundaries remains unwavering. As they aim for a podium finish at Milano-Cortina, the trio emphasizes the importance of unity, communication, and continuous improvement in their pursuit of success.

As they kick off the World Cup speed skating season, the Canadians remain focused on showcasing their prowess and unity in pursuit of their shared goal of achieving their full potential as a team.