Antoine Gélinas-Beaulieu showcased his prowess at the Canadian long track championships in Calgary after a 19-month hiatus from mass start races. Despite feeling the pressure at the start line, the speed skater from Sherbrooke, Que., maintained composure throughout the 16-lap men’s competition. In a strategic move, he surged ahead in the final sprint, clinching victory with a time of 7 minutes 55.88 seconds, outpacing Jake Weidemann of Ottawa (7:55.96) and David LaRue of Montreal (7:56.43).
Reflecting on his win, Gélinas-Beaulieu expressed his satisfaction, noting that it had been two years since his last mass start race in Calgary, where he secured a silver medal at the World Championships. Emphasizing the tough competition, he credited his race strategy for positioning him well throughout the event, ultimately leading to his triumph in the final sprint.
On the women’s side, Valérie Maltais of La Baie, Que., dominated the field, crossing the finish line first in 9:08.72. She surged past Rose-Anne Grenier of Sainte-Marie, Que., and Darby Beeson of Airdrie, Alta., in the final lap to claim the title. Grenier secured silver with a time of 9:10.46, while Beeson took bronze at 9:10.61, narrowly edging out Isabelle Champagne of Calgary.
Maltais expressed a mix of nerves and confidence before the race, highlighting the unpredictable nature of mass start events but asserting her readiness and speed. Eager to represent Canada at the World Cups once again, she was determined to secure victory.
Meanwhile, Ottawa’s Ivanie Blondin has secured a prequalification for the World Cups based on her stellar performance on the international stage last season, culminating in a silver medal at the World Championships in Hamar, Norway. The Canadian team for the upcoming World Cup campaign will soon be announced, considering results from the recent championships and past international achievements.
