Antoine Gélinas-Beaulieu displayed a strong performance at the Canadian long track championships in Calgary after a 19-month hiatus from mass start races. Despite feeling some nerves at the start line, the speed skater from Sherbrooke, Quebec, maintained composure throughout the 16-lap men’s competition. In an impressive final sprint, the 33-year-old crossed the finish line first with a time of 7:55.88, ahead of Jake Weidemann from Ottawa (7:55.96) and David LaRue from Montreal (7:56.43).
Reflecting on his victory, Gélinas-Beaulieu mentioned that it had been two years since his last mass start race, which also took place in Calgary where he secured a silver medal at the World Championships. Despite facing tough competition, he executed his race strategy well, positioning himself effectively to claim victory in the final sprint.
On the women’s side, Valérie Maltais from La Baie, Quebec, emerged as the champion in a field of 14 competitors. Maltais showcased her speed and skill, overtaking Rose-Anne Grenier from Sainte-Marie, Quebec, and Darby Beeson from Airdrie, Alberta, in the final lap to secure the title with a time of 9:08.72. Grenier claimed the silver medal (9:10.46), while Beeson (9:10.61) clinched the bronze ahead of Isabelle Champagne from Calgary.
Expressing her confidence before the race, Maltais emphasized the unpredictability of mass start events but stated that she felt well-prepared and determined to win. Her victory means she will have the opportunity to represent Canada at the upcoming World Cups. Meanwhile, Ottawa’s Ivanie Blondin has already secured a spot in the World Cups based on her stellar international performances, including a silver medal at the World Championships in Hamar, Norway.
The selection of Canada’s team for the upcoming World Cup season will be announced in the following weeks, considering the results from the recent championships and the athletes’ performances on the international stage last year.
