Ivanie Blondin helped Canada to a team sprint gold medal before picking up an individual bronze Friday as the season-opening ISU Four Continents speed skating championships opened in Hachinohe, Japan.
Ottawa’s Blondin combined with Carolina Hiller of Prince George, B.C., and Beatrice Lamarche of Quebec City to win the women’s team sprint in a track record time of one minute 27.87 seconds.
Lamarche used the slingshot technique to launch Blondin into the final lap, which helped the trio maintain their speed. While the move worked, Lamarche said it could be improved.
“The slingshot move felt better yesterday in practice, but it was not at high speed. Maybe we looked smooth, but I personally felt weird and rushed throughout the entire process,” Lamarche said. “I’m excited to try it again during the World Cup in China because I think it can be better.”
South Korea was 1.39 seconds off the pace …