Valérie Maltais Wins Unexpected Bronze Medal in Women's 1,500m Speed Skating at Milano Cortina Games

Valérie Maltais won her third medal at the Milano Cortina Games, a bronze in the 1,500m speed skating event. This is Canada's fourth medal ever in this Olympic discipline.
By Newsroom | Sports, Olympics |

Canadian speed skater Valérie Maltais achieved a notable result on Friday, winning the bronze medal in the women's 1,500-meter long track event at the Milano Cortina Games. This medal marks her third of the competition, a feat that was unexpected by some observers. The win adds another chapter to Canada's history in the women's 1,500m at the Olympics, contributing to the country's fourth-ever medal in this discipline.

A Podium Finish for Maltais

Valérie Maltais, representing Canada, finished the women's 1,500-meter race with a time of one minute 54.40 seconds. This performance placed her behind Antoinette Rijpma-de Jong of the Netherlands, who won gold with a time of 1:54.09, and Ragne Wiklund of Norway, who secured silver in 1:54.15. The bronze medal for Maltais was a significant achievement, especially considering she was not widely anticipated to reach the podium in this specific event.

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Canadian speed skater Valérie Maltais takes surprising bronze in women's 1,500m - 1

Key Insight: Valérie Maltais's bronze in the 1,500m was a surprise, contributing to Canada's limited history of success in this Olympic discipline.

Maltais's Milano Cortina Performance

This bronze medal in the 1,500m is Maltais's third medal of the Milano Cortina Games.

Canadian speed skater Valérie Maltais takes surprising bronze in women's 1,500m - 2

  • She previously won bronze in the women's 3,000 meters on February 7th.

  • She also earned a gold medal as part of the women's team pursuit alongside Ivanie Blondin and Isabelle Weidemann.

This collection of medals underscores a strong performance by Maltais at these Games, making her a significant contributor to the Canadian Olympic team's success.

Historical Context for Canadian 1,500m Speed Skating

Maltais's bronze medal in the 1,500m is a rare occurrence for Canada in this Olympic event.

Canadian speed skater Valérie Maltais takes surprising bronze in women's 1,500m - 3

  • Canada has only won three previous medals in the women's 1,500m at the Winter Olympics.

  • The most recent previous Canadian medalists in this event were Cindy Klassen (gold) and Kristina Groves (silver) at the Turin 2006 Games. These Games were also held in Italy.

Athlete Background and Previous Achievements

Valérie Maltais's journey to this success involves a transition in her speed skating discipline.

  • Maltais is a former short-track speed skater who transitioned to long track.

  • She did not compete in the 1,500m event at her previous Olympic appearance in Beijing four years prior.

  • Her career-best finish at the World Championships in this event is 10th place.

  • Maltais is recognized as the only Canadian skater to have won Olympic medals in both short track and long track speed skating.

Performance in the 1,500m Race

Maltais's performance in the 1,500m final placed her just behind the top two finishers.

Canadian speed skater Valérie Maltais takes surprising bronze in women's 1,500m - 4

  • Antoinette Rijpma-de Jong (Netherlands) – Gold, 1:54.09

  • Ragne Wiklund (Norway) – Silver, 1:54.15

  • Valérie Maltais (Canada) – Bronze, 1:54.40

The race saw Maltais holding her position in the rankings heading into the final two racers, ultimately securing the bronze medal. Other Canadian skaters in the 1,500m included Ivanie Blondin and Beatrice Lamarche, who finished 8th and 17th, respectively.

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Impact on the Olympics

Maltais's performance in the 1,500m contributed to the overall success of the Canadian contingent at the Games.

  • Her bronze medal was the fourth speed skating medal for Canada at these Games.

  • It is noteworthy that Brittany Bowe, an American skater with a 16-year career, was kept off the podium in this event. Bowe finished fourth with a time of 1:54.70.

Expert Analysis

The "surprising" nature of Maltais's bronze medal in the 1,500m suggests a performance that may have exceeded expectations based on her previous world championship results in the event. Her success in both team pursuit and individual races highlights a strong all-around capability in long-track speed skating.

"The 35-year-old Quebec native… said after her bronze medal performance: 'I was ready for a fight.'" - Olympics.com

Her medal in the 3,000m was described as her "first individual Olympic medal" and secured Canada's "podium debut" at the Milano Cortina Games, marking a significant moment for the athlete and the country.

Conclusion

Valérie Maltais's bronze medal in the women's 1,500-meter speed skating event at the Milano Cortina Games is a significant achievement. This medal, her third of the competition, adds to Canada's Olympic history in the 1,500m. The result, described as surprising by some, demonstrates Maltais's evolving capabilities in long-track speed skating. Her success, alongside medals in the 3,000m and team pursuit, solidifies her position as a key athlete for Canada at these Games.

Read More: Finland leads Canada 2-1 in Olympic Men's Hockey Semifinal on February 21, 2026

Sources:

(CTV News article summary was not detailed enough for inclusion)

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How did Valérie Maltais win a bronze medal in the women's 1,500m speed skating event on Friday?
Valérie Maltais finished the race with a time of 1 minute 54.40 seconds, placing her third behind skaters from the Netherlands and Norway. This result was considered unexpected by some.
Q: What does this bronze medal mean for Valérie Maltais and Canada?
This is Maltais's third medal at the Milano Cortina Games and Canada's fourth medal ever in the women's 1,500m Olympic event. It highlights her strong performance at these Games.
Q: What were Valérie Maltais's previous achievements at the Milano Cortina Games?
Before the 1,500m bronze, Maltais won a bronze medal in the women's 3,000 meters on February 7th and a gold medal in the women's team pursuit.
Q: How does this medal compare to Canada's past success in the women's 1,500m Olympic event?
Canada has won only three previous medals in this event, with the last ones being gold and silver by Cindy Klassen and Kristina Groves at the Turin 2006 Games.
Q: What is Valérie Maltais's background in speed skating?
Maltais is a former short-track speed skater who transitioned to long track. She is the only Canadian skater to win Olympic medals in both short track and long track speed skating.