With final February’s Olympic ultimate undoubtedly recent in her thoughts, silver medallist Ivanie Blondin of Ottawa acquired one of the best of champion Irene Schouten this time round, edging the Dutch speed skater on the end line Sunday to take the primary mass start of the women’s World Cup season in Stavanger, Norway.
Blondin stopped the clock in eight minutes 58.72 seconds, 8-100ths of a second forward of Schouten’s teammate, Marijke Groenewoud (8:58.80), whereas Schouten reached in 8:59.05 for third.
On Saturday, Blondin received gold in women’s crew pursuit with fellow 2022 Olympic champions Isabelle Weidemann of Ottawa and Valérie Maltais of Saguenay, Que., who positioned seventh in Sunday’s mass start in 9:02.52.
Also Saturday, the 32-year-old Blondin narrowly missed the rostrum in the 1,500 metres, ending 6-100ths behind third-place Groenewoud.
WATCH | Blondin beats Groenewoud for mass start win at World Cup opener:
Ottawa’s Ivanie Blondin got here out on high in the women’s mass start ultimate with a time of 8:58.72 on the ISU World Cup Speed Skating occasion in Stavanger.