At the Canadian long track championships in Calgary, Antoine Gélinas-Beaulieu showcased his prowess in the mass start event after a 19-month hiatus. The speed skater from Sherbrooke, Que., navigated the 16-lap men’s competition with composure, eventually surging ahead in the final sprint to claim victory in a time of 7 minutes 55.88 seconds. Jake Weidemann from Ottawa finished closely behind in second place with a time of 7:55.96, followed by David LaRue from Montreal in third with a time of 7:56.43.

Reflecting on his performance, Gélinas-Beaulieu expressed his satisfaction, stating, “It has been two years since I raced a mass start. The last time was here in Calgary, when I won silver at the World Championships.” He acknowledged the tough competition but credited his strategic positioning throughout the race for his success in the final sprint.

On the women’s side, Valérie Maltais from La Baie, Que., emerged victorious in the mass start event, outpacing her competitors to secure the title in a time of 9:08.72. Rose-Anne Grenier from Sainte-Marie, Que., claimed the silver medal with a time of 9:10.46, while Darby Beeson from Airdrie, Alta., clinched the bronze with a time of 9:10.61, edging out Isabelle Champagne from Calgary.

Maltais shared her excitement following her win, emphasizing her confidence and determination in the race. She expressed her eagerness to represent Canada once again at the upcoming World Cups. Meanwhile, Ottawa’s Ivanie Blondin has already secured a spot in the World Cups based on her strong international performances, including a silver medal at the world Championships in Hamar, Norway.

The selection for Canada’s team in the upcoming World Cup campaign will be determined in the following weeks, taking into account the results from the recent championships and the athletes’ performances on the global stage.