Speed Skating Canada – Hamar, Norway, March 5, 2017 – Ivanie Blondin concludes the 2017 ISU World Allround Championships in 12^th position and Ben Donnelly, in 17^th, following the last races held Sunday in Hamar, Norway.

Fifth following the first day of competition, Ivanie Blondin from Ottawa, ON, concludes the competition in 12^th spot in the 1500m with a time of 1:59,10, Sunday, which pushed her out of the top eight in the overall ranking and, therefore, excluded her from the last race, the women’s 5000m, which could have allowed her to collect more points. She finally ended up in 12^th place.

“Obviously, I’m disappointed”, said Ivanie Blondin. “It wasn’t the race that I wanted to pull out Sunday. At the same time, it has been an extremely long season and, been Canadian and North American, it hasn’t been the best season for travel. I think it’s just catching up to me.”

“It’s still a better positioning than last year but I know I can do way better than that”, said Blondin who took the 16^th place last year. “By looking at my personal bests, I should have been able to be in the top five for sure. It’s only motivation going to next season.”

Ireen Wüst from the Netherlands got back her World Champion title following Martina Sáblíková who has won the last two editions. Wüst previously won the competition four years in a row. Miho Takagi from Japan finished third.

On the men’s side, Ben Donnelly from Oshawa, ON, took the 17^th spot in the 1500m with a time of 1:48.52, which had him slide from 16^th to 17^th position in the overall ranking. Like Blondin, Donnelly didn’t qualify for the last race of the competition, the men’s 10,000m.

“It wasn’t the result I was looking for”, said Donnelly. “I had an unlucky first backstretch running up on the Italian skater and I lost some speed.”

“But overall, this weekend, I’m really happy with the result”, continued Donnelly who was taking part in his first-ever World Allround Championships. “Especially with my 13th place in the 5000m which was my best executed 5000m race ever. It was a great learning experience and doing all these races in a small amount of time will help me going into the Olympic year. It was a good experience and good training at the same time.”

Sven Kramer from the Netherlands won the title for the ninth time in the past eleven editions. His teammates Patrick Roest and Jan Blokhuijsen took respectively the second and third spots for an exclusive Dutch podium.

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

1500m– W
12. Ivanie Blondin (1:59.10)

1500m– M
17. Ben Donnelly (1:48.52)

Final Ranking – W

12. Ivanie Blondin

Final Ranking – M

17. 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