On Tuesday in Milan, the Canadian women’s speedskating team won their second gold medal in a row in the team pursuit event. Isabelle Weidemann, Ivanie Blondin, and Valérie Maltais defeated a younger team from the Netherlands to keep their title. This victory marks the 12th total medal for Canada at the 2026 Milano Cortina Games. While the Dutch team led for a large part of the race, the Canadian trio used a specific staying power to move ahead in the final laps. This win is significant because it repeats the group's success from the 2022 Beijing Olympics. The win adds to Canada’s current count of three gold medals at these Games, moving the country closer to its previous performance records.
History of the Canadian Trio
The team of Weidemann, Blondin, and Maltais has been skating together since the 2018-19 season. This partnership began after Valérie Maltais moved from short-track speedskating to the long-track version of the sport.
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2022 Beijing Games: The team won gold after a member of the Japanese team fell during the final lap.
2025 World Championships: The team earned a bronze medal, while the Netherlands took the gold.
2026 Milan Games: The team beat the Netherlands to return to the top of the podium.
The current medal count for Canada at the 2026 Games stands at 12 total. This includes three gold, four silver, and five bronze medals. Valérie Maltais has been a major contributor to this count, having also won a bronze medal in the 3,000-metre race earlier in the week.
Evidence of Race Performance and Tactics
Reports from the event show that the Canadian team changed their approach to the race this season. In speedskating pursuit, three skaters usually take turns leading the line to share the work of cutting through the air.
"After testing several options this season, the Canadians have gone with the strategy of putting Weidemann… at the front of the line for the entire race." — Team Canada Official Report
| Race Factor | 2022 Performance (Beijing) | 2026 Performance (Milan) |
|---|---|---|
| Final Opponent | Japan | Netherlands |
| Key Event | Opponent fell in final lap | Canada overtook Dutch lead late |
| Lead Strategy | Rotating lead positions | Isabelle Weidemann led the whole race |
| Team Age | Experienced | Veteran (compared to "notably younger" Dutch) |
Official data indicates that Isabelle Weidemann, who is over 6 feet tall, acted as a shield for her teammates. This allowed Maltais and Blondin to save energy by skating in her draft.
Evolution of the Lead Strategy
The choice to keep Isabelle Weidemann in the lead for the whole race is an unusual tactic in team pursuit. Usually, skaters rotate to avoid getting tired. However, the team's coaching staff decided to use Weidemann’s height and strength to create a "drafting" effect for the smaller skaters behind her.
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Observations of the race suggest:
The Netherlands team, which is younger, started with a faster pace.
The Dutch team held the lead for more than half of the laps.
The Canadian team maintained a steady speed that eventually became faster than the Dutch pace in the final minute.
Was this strategy the main reason for the win, or did the younger Dutch team lose stamina too early? The data shows the Canadians were slower at the start but did not lose as much speed as their opponents toward the end.
The Netherlands-Canada Rivalry
Coming into this race, the Netherlands was considered the favorite by many. They were the reigning world champions from the 2025 single-distance event.
The Dutch Perspective: They brought a younger team to Milan, focusing on speed and a strong start. They successfully led for a large portion of the Tuesday final.
The Canadian Perspective: They relied on the same veteran trio that won in 2022. Their experience in high-pressure finals appeared to be a factor when the race entered the closing laps.
The results show a shift in momentum between the 2025 World Championships and the 2026 Olympics. While the Dutch won last year, the Canadians were able to reverse that result on the Olympic stage.
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Broader Impact on Team Canada
The speedskating gold is the third for Canada in these Games. Other sports are also contributing to the medal count and daily schedule:
Curling: Rachel Homan’s team took a lead against Sweden, and the men’s team under Brad Jacobs holds a 5-1 record.
Hockey: The women’s team recently defeated Switzerland 2-1, and the men's team is preparing for the quarter-finals.
Weather Issues: Snow has caused some events, like the women's freeski aerials, to be moved to later dates.
Expert Analysis
Analysis from sports reporters on the ground suggests that the Canadian team’s familiarity with each other was their greatest strength.
The Globe and Mail noted that the Canadians defeated a "notably younger Dutch team" by staying patient. Because the same three women have competed together for two full Olympic cycles, their timing and ability to push each other's limits are well-documented.
Investigative records of past performances show that Isabelle Weidemann has become a central figure in Canadian long-track skating. After her success in Beijing, she expressed a desire to "push her limits," and her role as the sole lead in the pursuit race confirms this development in her career.
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Findings and Implications
The evidence confirms that Canada has successfully defended its Olympic title in the women’s team pursuit. This was achieved through a tactical decision to utilize Isabelle Weidemann's physical size as a constant lead for her teammates.
Summary of Findings:
Consistency: The trio of Weidemann, Blondin, and Maltais has remained unchanged for two Olympic golds.
Strategy: The team abandoned the traditional rotation of leaders to favor a "permanent lead" model.
Standings: This win keeps Canada in a strong position in the overall medal table, currently holding 12 medals.
The next steps for these athletes involve individual races remaining in the Olympic schedule. For the Canadian Olympic Committee, this gold medal provides a boost toward meeting or exceeding the four gold medals won in Beijing.
Primary Sources
Sportsnet: Canada wins second Olympic gold in a row in women’s team pursuit — Context on medal counts and race results.
Team Canada: Team Canada wins second straight Olympic gold medal — Details on the "drafting" strategy and athlete history.
The Globe and Mail: Speed skaters win second consecutive Olympic gold — Information on the Dutch rivalry and team ages.
Global News: Canada wins Olympic gold in team pursuit — Confirmation of 2022 vs 2026 results.
The Toronto Star: Canadian speedskaters win Olympic gold — Verification of current medal standings in Milan.
