Ivanie Blondin won two medals on Sunday at the Long Track Speed Skating World Cup in Nagano, Japan, helping Canada win its first ever mixed relay medal.
Blondin and Yankun Zhao were decorated with bronze in this new discipline added to the circuit last year. A few moments earlier, Blondin finished the mass start in second position.
The maple leaf therefore finished the first stage of the World Cup of the season with four medals. Blondin put on three of them.
“I knew it was possible to win a full set of medals this weekend,” Blondin said according to a Speed Skating Canada press release. Yankun and I have both competed in short track before, so we’re able to adapt well to missed exchanges and all kinds of unforeseen events.
“It’s cool to see that the sling shot [en longue piste] works just as well as the push we’re used to doing in short track. »
For Zhao, it was a first career podium.
“This first World Cup podium is very special, especially since it comes so early in my career,” he said. I find the mixed relay to be a very fun event. It’s nice to work with a teammate throughout the race, it makes me relive some of the feelings from when I was doing short track. »
In the mass start, Quebecer Valérie Maltais took seventh place. Laurent Dubreuil, for his part, finished the 500 meters in fourth place.
In the team pursuit event, the Canadians placed fourth and the Canadian women fifth.
The next stage of the World Cup will take place next weekend in Beijing, China.
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* **How might the success of mixed relay teams like Canada’s influence the development of young speed skaters who are choosing disciplines to specialize in?**
Here are some open-ended questions focused on the key topics of the article, designed to encourage discussion and diverse viewpoints:
**I. Ivanie Blondin’s Success and the Mixed Relay**
* Ivanie Blondin mentions adaptability being key to their success in the mixed relay. How important is adaptability in speed skating, and how does it translate across different disciplines?
* The mixed relay is a relatively new event. What are the potential long-term impacts of this event on speed skating, both in terms of athlete development and spectator interest?
* Blondin’s comment about the “sling shot” technique being effective in long track raises an interesting point. How might the strategies and techniques from short track skating continue to influence long track racing?
**II. Yankun Zhao’s First Career Podium**
* Yankun Zhao describes the mixed relay as a “fun event”. What aspects of the mixed relay make it enjoyable for skaters, and how might those elements contribute to the popularity of the discipline?
* How might this early success motivate Yankun Zhao in his future skating career and shape his goals?
* Zhao’s transition from short track to long track brings up the question of specialized training. What are the challenges and rewards of transitioning between different disciplines within speed skating?
**III. Team Performances and Looking Ahead**
* While Blondin and Zhao had notable achievements, other Canadian skaters also competed. What insights can be gained from their performances (e.g., Maltais, Dubreuil, team pursuit results)?
* The World Cup season is just beginning. What are some potential storylines or areas to watch for as the competition progresses?
**Additional Tips for an Engaging Interview:**
* **Use Follow-up Questions:** Don’t be afraid to ask clarifying questions or probe deeper into intriguing points made by the interviewees.
* **Encourage Personal Perspectives:** Ask about their emotions, motivations, and what they find most rewarding about speed skating.
* **Connect to Wider Themes:** Relate the conversation to broader topics like the evolution of sports, the importance of teamwork, or the pursuit of excellence.
