Quebecer Valérie Maltais won the bronze medal in the 3000m at the World Cup in Salt Lake City on Friday. This is a first individual World Cup medal over this distance for the speed skater.
“I felt good physically, so I was confident of having a good result,” Maltais said during a videoconference. I’ve done good things and I’m in the right place. »
Maltais stopped the clock at 3:59.71, trailing only the Dutch Joy Beune (3:56.86) and Irene Schouten (3:58.20).
Maltais now has three individual World Cup medals this season.
Last week, the 33-year-old Quebecer won gold, also in the 3000 m, during the Four Continents Championships.
“Doing the Four Continents Championships, I think it helped me for this weekend,” said Maltais. I think it’s only positive. »
Canadian Ivanie Blondin took seventh place in this discipline while her compatriot Laura Hall finished 13th.e.
Blondin also took part in the first women’s 1000m event, but she took the 20the and last row. Canadian Maddison Pearman rose to 18e position.
In the men’s 1000 m, Connor Howe was the best Canadian with a 12e place. Vincent De Haître followed him at 18e step.
Howe also finished the men’s mass start event in 12e position. Quebecer Antoine Gélinas-Beaulieu was satisfied with 19e place.