Skater Valérie Maltais had two good outings on Saturday, which allowed her to take 12and rank in the provisional general classification of the Allround World Championships presented in Hamar, Norway. Determined, the Quebecer will try to climb a few places in less than 24 hours.
Posted at 12:56 p.m.
Valérie Maltais is not recognized for her qualities as a sprinter, but that did not prevent her from posting the eighth time of the session in the 500m, early Saturday morning. What’s more, the athlete from Saguenay took the opportunity to lower his personal mark over the distance by nearly half a second, stopping the clock at 39.49 s.
“It had been two years since I had done a 500m, so I didn’t really have any expectations. I don’t necessarily practice this kind of event, but I knew that I had improved a lot in speed and that I am much more comfortable on the ice today than in 2020,” she said in an interview. with Sportscom.
“I managed to do a very good race despite a little slowdown in the change of lane, so I was very happy”, continued the one who was 1.18 s behind the Japanese Miho Takagi (38, 31 s), first of the day in the 500 m.
The participants then enjoyed a short rest period, after which they returned to the ice to start the 3000m. Maltais once again gave a performance that lived up to his expectations, finishing the race in ninth place.
“The 500m was a good warm-up and I felt really good on the rink. The 3000m is definitely more up my alley and I’m now confident enough at the start line to keep a good pace throughout the race. I’m more and more consistent, ”she analyzed, adding in passing that she had enough energy in reserve to increase the pace further.
It was a good race overall and I was even able to accelerate at the very end. I just needed a little bit of speed to go up a few places and I think I had it in me. This is also what makes me believe that I can still develop in this sport and even make my place with the girls at the top.
Valerie Maltais
The Dutch and distance specialist Irene Schouten was the fastest over 3000m with a time of 3 min 58 s, a record on the Hamar Olympic ring. For his part, Maltais posted a time of 4 min 8.23 s.
After two tests, the representative of the maple leaf points in 12and place in the provisional general classification, 6.29s behind the leader Miho Takagi. The latter is followed by Schouten (+0.43 s) and her Dutch compatriot Antoinette de Jong (+0.59 s).
The reigning world vice-champion, Ottawa’s Ivanie Blondin, is tenth, 5.98 s from the top. The only other Canadian in the running, Lindsey Kent (+20.19 s) is provisionally 17and.
PHOTO MARTIN CHAMBERLAND, ARCHIVES LA PRESSE
Ivanie Blondin at the Beijing Olympics
Activities will resume on Sunday in Norway, with the presentation of the 1500m. This will be the last opportunity to move up the rankings before the final 5000m race, where the eight best competitors will meet at the end of the competition.
“I’m very happy with my first day and I feel really good, even if my preparation was not optimal after the Olympic Games. I think I have the form to do it, so we’ll start with the 1500m and then we’ll see! concluded Valérie Maltais, 17and of this event in 2020.