Canada's Ivanie Blondin repeats as Olympic silver medallist in speed skating mass start

Ivanie Blondin of Ottawa matched her 2022 Olympic result in mass start, claiming a silver medal in the women's speed skating event on Saturday in Milan.

The two-time world champion earned 40 points and reached the finish in eight minutes 35.09 seconds, 39-100ths shy of gold medallist Marijke Groenewoud of the Netherlands and 3-10ths ahead of American Mia Manganello

Valérie Maltais of La Baie, Que., was fifth (8:36.10) in a valiant effort after clipping skates with an opponent and falling early in the 16-lap race.

Blondin, 35, has captured silver at each of her last three world championships and won World Cup gold in Calgary this season. She also collected silver and bronze on the circuit during the 2025-26 campaign.

Groenewoud, who is a three-time champion in the event, earned her most recent crown last year.

She reached the podium in four of five World Cup races this season, collecting two gold and two bronze.

In the men's event, world No. 1 Jorrit Bergsma of the Netherlands demonstrated he's the best in men's mass start, skating to Olympic gold at age 40 in a dominant performance.

Bergsma, who also earned bronze on Feb. 13 in the men's 1,000 metres, is the oldest speed skating gold medallist ever.

Bergsma cruised to victory after he and Viktor Hald Thorup of Denmark separated themselves from the field at Milano Speed Skating Stadium.

He earned 68 points and finished in seven minutes 55.50 seconds, five seconds ahead of Thorup (8:00.52) who amassed 47 points. Andrea Giovannini of Italy took bronze (8:04.42, 21 points).

Antoine Gélinas-Beaulieu of Sherbrooke, Que., placed sixth in the 16-man field. He mustered three points and clocked 8:04.76.