Milano, Italy – The Canadian women’s team pursuit squad etched their names in Olympic history Tuesday, successfully defending their gold medal from Beijing 2022 at the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics. Isabelle Weidemann, Valérie Maltais, and Ivanie Blondin delivered a dominant performance, finishing the six-lap race in 2 minutes and 55.81 seconds, besting the Netherlands by a margin of 0.96 seconds.
This victory marks the second consecutive Olympic title for the Canadian team, a feat not achieved in the event since Germany’s wins in 2006 and 2010. The triumph adds to Canada’s growing medal count at the Games, now totaling 207 medals, including four silver and five bronze alongside the gold medals won by Mikaël Kingsbury (freestyle skiing dual moguls) and Megan Oldham (women’s sizeable air).
The Canadian team’s success is built on a strategic shift, utilizing Weidemann’s height and strength as a lead skater, with Maltais and Blondin providing powerful support from behind. This formation, combined with a strong team dynamic, proved decisive against a competitive field. “We’re a little bit in shock,” Weidemann told CBC Sports. “We had two races today so we couldn’t look far ahead. “After the semifinal we weren’t talking about silver. We’ve got a job to do, still.”
The race saw a thrilling battle between Canada and the Netherlands. The Dutch team initially took the lead, establishing a 0.75-second advantage after two laps. Although, the Canadians steadily closed the gap, taking over the lead with two laps remaining and extending their advantage to 0.46 seconds before crossing the finish line.
WATCH | Canada clocks 2:55.80 for Olympic gold in women’s team pursuit:
The Canadian team’s journey to gold wasn’t without challenges. They posted a quarterfinal time of 2:55.03 on Saturday and then secured their spot in the final with a time of 2:55.92 against the United States (3:00.14) in the semifinals. The Dutch team also faced a tough test, prevailing over Japan with a time of 2:55.84, though Japan pushed them to the limit with a time of 2:55.95.
Strategic Shift and Team Chemistry
The Canadian team’s strategic adjustment, placing the six-foot-two Weidemann in the lead, has been a key factor in their success. This allows Maltais and Blondin to capitalize on the reduced wind resistance, maximizing their speed and power. Anastasia Bucsis, a two-time Canadian Olympic speed skater and CBC Sports analyst, noted the team’s tactical awareness, stating, “For them to do this on the biggest stage after [having] to figure out a few tactical changes, they never lost the faith. They were the best team today and are the greatest Canadian team pursuit [group] of all-time.”
Beyond strategy, the team’s strong chemistry has been crucial. Weidemann emphasized the importance of their connection, stating in November, “We’re three very different individuals and different athletes.” This ability to work together, despite their individual differences, has been a hallmark of their success.
WATCH | Maltais says celebrating Olympic win with Canadian fans was ‘wild’:
Japan Claims Bronze
In the bronze medal race, Japan secured the third spot on the podium, finishing in 2:58.50, ahead of the United States (3:02.00). Japanese middle-distance icon Miho Takagi expressed her satisfaction with the result, stating, “I honestly feel very happy. Until the very end, we never gave up fighting and we challenged ourselves, and I reckon this medal is the result of that.”
The Canadian team’s performance builds on their momentum from the World Cup circuit, where they combined for eight individual medals this season (one gold, four silver, and three bronze) and achieved a victory and two silver medals in team pursuit events. Earlier in these Games, Valérie Maltais added to the team’s success by claiming bronze in the women’s 3,000 metres.
The Netherlands, while improving from their bronze finish in Beijing, will undoubtedly be looking to reclaim the top spot at future world championships, having won the event in the past two years.
WATCH | A beaming Canadian trio hold hands before receiving gold medals:
Looking ahead, the Canadian team will aim to continue their dominance in the women’s team pursuit. Their consistent performance and strategic approach position them as strong contenders for future championships. The team’s success serves as an inspiration for aspiring speed skaters across Canada and beyond.
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