Speed Skating Canada – Hamar, Norway, March 4, 2017 – Ivanie Blondin is fifth in women’s provisional overall standings after the first day of competition at the ISU World Allround Championships scheduled to take place until Sunday in Hamar, Norway, while Ben Donnelly is in 16th place on the men’s side.

On Saturday, Ivanie Blondin of Ottawa, ON, started off her day with an eighth-place finish in the women’s 500m with a time of 39.61 seconds, and she then skated to ninth place in the 3000m in 4:08.29 to end up fifth in provisional standings.

“Overall, I’m a tiny bit disappointed with both of my races because I thought I would be faster, in the 500m especially, where the execution level was there but unfortunately, the time wasn’t as fast as I would have wanted it to be,” said Ivanie Blondin.

“In the 3000m, I didn’t realize how much that 500m took out of my legs. It was kind of a fight from start to finish, but I fought through it and did the best that I could.”

“Overall, I’m sitting fifth right now, which is actually not nearly as good as what I’m capable of, but my goal is a top-5 this weekend, so hopefully I can either stay there or improve on it on Sunday.”

On the men’s side, Ben Donnelly of Oshawa, ON, came up with two 13th-place finishes, both in the 500m (39.61) and the 5000m (6:31.71) to end up 16th overall after the first two events of the competition.

“My 500m didn’t go as well as I was hoping for,” said Ben Donnelly, who is taking part in his first-ever World Allround Championships. “I had a really good opener, but a small mishap at the first corner made for a slower first lap than what I wanted it to be.”

“But that gave me determination and focus going into the 5000m, which was probably my best ever in terms of execution. I started it off really reserved, didn’t get too ahead of myself, and I was really able to build at the end and get a great result, better than anticipated.”

“I’m pretty happy about my 16th spot overall. I’m looking forward to having a good race in Sunday’s 1500m and trying to improve my ranking.”

On Sunday, Blondin and Donnelly will skate in the 1500m event and will try to finish among the top eight skaters per gender in overall standings, who will take part in the women’s 5000m or men’s 10,000m in order to collect more points and vye for the world allround championship title, which goes to the skaters who finish first in final overall standings.

Broadcast on CBC

The Canadian team’s performances will be broadcast on CBC on Sunday, March 5 from 1 pm to 2 pm. Races are webcast live at www.cbcsports.ca.

TODAY’S CANADIAN RESULTS

500m– W
8. Ivanie Blondin (39,61)

500m–M

13. Ben Donnelly (36,75)

3000m – W

9. Ivanie Blondin (4:08,29)

5000m – M

13. Ben Donnelly (6:31,71)

Ranking after Day 1 – W

5. Ivanie Blondin

Ranking after Day 1 – M

16. Ben Donnelly

More details are available at Speed Skating Canada’s web site at www.speedskating.ca.

About Speed Skating Canada

Speed Skating Canada (SSC) is the governing body for competitive long track and short track speed skating in Canada. Founded in 1887, the association is comprised of 13 provincial and territorial branches representing more than 14,000 individual members, and counting. SSC believes that sport is an apprenticeship for life and prizes respect for others, integrity, excellence of effort, as well as a safe, healthy environment. SSC recognizes and values its outstanding volunteers who give freely of their time and expertise. It also celebrates the 63 Olympic medals won by Canadian athletes since 1932, as well as the coaches, officials and other dedicated individuals who helped them on their journey.

SSC is proud to be affiliated with partners that share the same vision and values including our premium sponsors Intact Insurance, as well as our funding partners, the Government of Canada, Own the Podium, City of Montreal, Calgary Olympic Oval and WinSport Canada.
 

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For information:

Patrick Godbout

Communications & Media Relations Manager

Speed Skating Canada

Email: pgodbout@speedskating.ca

Phone: 514 213-9897

Website: www.speedskating.ca 

Facebook: www.facebook.com/SSC.PVC