Canadian speedskaters Maltais, Blondin, Weidemann win Olympic gold in team pursuit

Team Canada is led by Isabelle Weidemann, followed by Valerie Maltais, centre, and Ivanie Blondin, right, as they compete in the women's team pursuit quarterfinals speedskating race at the 2026 Winter Olympics, in Milan, Italy, Saturday, Feb. 14, 2026. (AP Photo/Ben Curtis)

Canadian speedskaters Valérie Maltais, Ivanie Blondin and Isabelle Weidemann have won a gold medal in women’s team pursuit.

The Canadian trio repeated as Olympic champions after also capturing gold in 2022 in Beijing.

Canada reached the final after beating the United States by just over four seconds in their semifinal at the Milan Speed Skating Stadium. The Netherlands defeated Japan by just over a tenth of a second in the other semifinal.

Maltais, Blondin and Weidemann beat Japan for gold in Beijing, where Nana Takagi fell with less than a lap to go.

Maltais has already claimed an Olympic medal at the Milan Cortina Games with a bronze in the women’s 3,000 metres.

It’s Canada’s 12th medal at the Games, and third gold.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Feb. 17, 2026.