Ivanie Blondin had the chance to finish the World Cup season first in the mass start standings. Unfortunately, the Canadian came fourth in the final race of the season and narrowly escaped the title. She must therefore settle for second place.
Posted at 12:34 p.m.
Blondin had managed to reach the podium in each of the three competitions in which she had taken part in this distance since the start of the season.
She won silver in Poland, gold in Salt Lake City and silver in Calgary. She also won the silver medal at the Beijing Olympics a few weeks ago.
The 31-year-old athlete was among the leaders throughout the race. Still in the top five, she got help from teammate Valérie Maltais with eight laps to go. The Quebecer came to stand in front of Blondin to allow her to save energy and thus be able to open the machine in the last laps. With five laps to go, Blondin went on the offensive, but the other skaters were faster.
Irene Schouten, Olympic champion in the 3000m and 5000m, exploded in the final laps and led the race to the finish line. Fellow Dutchwoman Marijke Groenewoud finished second. Italy’s Francesca Lollobrigida was efficient and patient and took third place, which was enough to overtake Blondin in the overall standings.
Valérie Maltais finally finished this race in the mass start in seventh place and fifth in the season standings.