Bloemen, Weidemann capture 5000m and 3000m Canadian titles

As the first day of the Canadian Single Distance Championships kicked off in Calgary this afternoon new men's 5000m and women's 3000m champions were crowned.

By: Maria Dalton

Photos By: Schaats Foto's

There was a mix of young and old skaters in action today as some of Canada’s rising stars sought to compete alongside veteran skaters.

Bloemen, Belchos dominate in the 5000m

Olympic champion and world record holder Ted-Jan Bloemen retained his title as Canadian champion in the 5000m with his time of 6:21.62. Jordan Belchos of Ontario was close behind his compatriot with his time of 6:21.89 and finished in second place. Graeme Fish posted a time of 6:28.46 after finishing strong in the final few laps to beat out Antoine Gelinas-Beaulieu of Quebec for the bronze medal. Kaleb Muller rounded out the top-5 with his time of 6:32.93.

Weidemann captures the women's 3000m title

Skating in the second pair, Isabelle Weidemann posted a time of 4:02.68 to take home the 3000m title. Two-time Olympian Ivanie Blondin finished in second place, nearly 7-seconds behind Weidemann with her time of 4:09.71. Valerie Maltais, who is a decorated short track skater and made the switch to long track this season, rounded out the top-3 in the bronze medal position with her time of 4:10.42. Keri Morrison (4:10.94) and Abigail McCluskey (4:14.36) rounded off the top-5 in 4th and 5th position, respectively.

M5000m:

1 – Ted-Jan Bloemen (6:21.62)

2 – Jordan Belchos (6:21.89)

3 – Graeme Fish (6:28.46)

4 – Antoine Gelinas-Beaulieu (6:30.00)

5 – Kaleb Muller (6:32.93)

6 – Hayden Mayeur (6:33.73)

7 – Jake Weidemann (6.35.39)

8 – Matthew Laxton (6:58.90)

W3000m:

1 – Isabelle Weidemann (4:02.68)

2 – Ivanie Blondin (4:09.71)

3 – Valerie Maltais (4:10.42)

4 – Keri Morrison (4:10.94)

5 – Abigail McCluskey (4:14.36)
6 – Beatrice Lamarche (4:15.85)

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