Canadian speed skater Valérie Maltais claims World Cup silver

Canadian speed skater Valérie Maltais earned a silver medal in the women’s 3,000 metres Friday at the opening World Cup event in Salt Lake City, Utah.

Skating at the the Utah Olympic Oval, the Chicoutimi, Que., finished second in personal-best time of three minutes 56.53 seconds.

Joy Beune, of the Netherlands, won the race in 3:53.69, with Italy’s Francesca Lollobrigida finishing third in 3:57.65. Berne’s time was also a personal best. 

Maltais, 35, began her career in short track and owns a 2014 world championship bronze in the 1,000m. She is the current Canadian champion in the 3,000m.

Quebec's Valérie Maltais captures 3,000m World Cup speed skating silver in Salt Lake City

Isabelle Weidemann was the next best Canadian placing fifth in 3:57.84. Ivanie Blondin followed in eighth in 3:59.48, and then Laura Hall, who finished 13th in a time of 4:02.97.