Canadian long-track speedskater Valerie Maltais earned a silver medal Sunday in the women’s mass start competition at the Beijing World Cup.
Marijke Groenewoud of the Netherlands won gold in eight minutes 27.62 seconds.
Ottawa native Ivanie Blondin initially finished second in 8:28.49 but was later disqualified. Officials felt that body contact between Blondin and Italy’s Francesca Lollobrigida affected another skater.
Maltais, from La Baie, Que., was given the silver in 8:28.97 for her first World Cup podium appearance of the season. China’s Binyu Yang took bronze in 8:29.72.
WATCH | Maltais takes silver, Blondin disqualified:
Valérie Maltais of Saguenay, Que., claimed a silver medal Sunday in the World Cup mass start race in Beijing, China.
Canada just missed the podium in the team sprint races.
The Netherlands took women’s gold ahead of Poland and the United States. Blondin, Carolina Hiller of Prince George, B.C., and Beatrice Lamarche of Quebec City were fourth.
The Dutch crew won men’s …