Ted-Jan Bloemen is determined to make the most of his final season as a speed skater. The 39-year-old Canadian, who secured gold and silver at the 2018 Olympics, aims to leave no room for regrets as he competes in his last races.
During the World Cup racing event in Calgary, Bloemen set a new record in the men’s 5,000 meters, surpassing Sven Kramer’s long-standing record at the Olympic Oval. Despite his impressive performance, he was eventually overtaken by Norway’s Sander Eitrem and American skater Casey Dawson, landing Bloemen in third place.
Expressing his satisfaction with the achievement, Bloemen acknowledged the significance of breaking such a historic record on familiar grounds. The Dutch-Canadian athlete, who moved to Canada in 2014, had a successful run at the 2018 Winter Olympics and is now striving to return to medal contention after a challenging previous season.
In a separate event, Valérie Maltais of La Baie, Quebec, claimed bronze in the women’s 3,000 meters, setting a personal best time of 3:56.45. Maltais’ performance marked a notable improvement from her earlier races and showcased her determination to excel in the competition.
As the long track World Cup season unfolds, spectators can follow the thrilling races live on CBCSports.ca and CBC Gem. The event promises more exciting matchups and outstanding performances from elite speed skaters from around the world.