Speed Skating Canada – Bloemen finishes fifth while Blondin ends up 16th on the women’s side

Berlin, Germany, March 6, 2016 – Ted-Jan Bloemen of Calgary finished the 2016 ISU World Allround Championships, held in Berlin, Germany, in fifth position, which represents the best performance by a Canadian male skater since Denny Morrison in 2006.

Morrison also ended up fifth that year, when the event was held in Calgary.

“After my slow 500m that put me in 21st place (on Saturday), it’s pretty cool that I still managed finishing fifth overall,” said Ted-Jean Bloemen. “But these weren’t my best races. I’m looking to do even better in the future. It’s cool that this is the best Canadian performance in a while, but there’s more to come!”

On Sunday, the last day of the competition, Ted-Jan Bloemen started out by taking 13th spot in the 1500m race, with a time of 1:48.64. That qualified him for the final race of the competition, the 10 000m, alongside the seven other top skaters in overall standings, as determined by the results obtained over the weekend’s first three races. In the 10 000m, Bloemen came up with the fifth best time, 13:21.91, to move up two spots and finish fifth overall. Bloemen was seventh after Saturday’s two events.

“I was pretty happy with the execution in my 1500m, but I wasn’t pleased with my 10 000m,” said Bloemen. “I was really struggling to find a good pace. My legs were still feeling the effects of the first three distances.”

Sven Kramer of the Netherlands was crowned the overall winner, earning his eighth title over the last 10 years. Norway’s Sverre Lunde Pedersen and Dutch skater Jan Blokhuijsen also ended up on the podium.

On the women’s side, Ivanie Blondin of Ottawa finished 16th overall after ending up 18th in the 1500m, Sunday, with a time of 2:01.29. She unfortunately did not qualify for the final race, the women’s 5000m.

Czech skater Martina Sábliková was able to defend the world title she won last year in Calgary, coming up with her fourth career win. Ireen Wüst and Antoinette de Jong of the Netherlands respectively finished second and third overall to accompany her on the podium.

“I knew I wasn’t at my best physically, so I was mostly aiming to have fun today. I therefore focused on the positives and on savouring the moment,” said Ivanie Blondin. “Sometimes, you have to go through big losses to find your way towards achieving great accomplishments. I will keep this experience in mind when I train this summer, and will use it as motivation for the future.”

TODAY’S CANADIAN RESULTS

 

Final ranking

M

5: Ted-Jan Bloemen

 

W

16: Ivanie Blondin

 

1500m M

13: Ted-Jan Bloemen (1:48.64)

 

10 000m M

5: Ted-Jan Bloemen (13:21.91)

 

1500m W

18: Ivanie Blondin (2:01.29)

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.

– 30 –

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

Twitter: www.twitter.com/SSC_PVC

 

Kerry Dankers
Long Track Program and Communications Coordinator
Speed Skating Canada
Email: kdankers@speedskating.ca
Phone: 403-589-8960
Website: www.speedskating.ca  
Facebook: www.facebook.com/SSC.PVC 
Twitter: www.twitter.com/SSC_PVC