Valérie Maltais is showcasing impressive form as she gears up for her fifth Olympic appearance. The 35-year-old speed skater from La Baie, Quebec, set a personal best in the 3,000 meters at the World Cup season opener in Salt Lake City, where she secured a silver medal. Following this success, she added another silver in the women’s mass start event and contributed to Canada’s silver medal in the team pursuit.
Looking ahead to the upcoming 3,000-meter race in Calgary, Maltais expressed her excitement and determination to maintain her performance momentum. She emphasized the importance of executing her race strategy flawlessly and aligning all technical and tactical aspects.
Calgary marks the second stop of the five-leg World Cup circuit this season, with Maltais among the 27 Canadian athletes competing for medals and Olympic qualification in Milan and Cortina, Italy, next February. In the previous season, Canadians claimed a total of 16 medals across six World Cup events, including two gold, eight silver, and six bronze.
Valérie Maltais stands out as the sole Canadian speed skater to have won Olympic medals in both short track and long track events. After transitioning to long track in 2019, she, along with Ivanie Blondin and Isabelle Weidemann, clinched team pursuit gold in Beijing in 2022.
As one of the few Canadian athletes still competing from the 2010 Vancouver and Whistler Olympics, Maltais reflects on the benefits of experience and improved training technologies. She credits the advancements in training methods and athlete support for helping her achieve peak performance levels at 35 years old.
Married to fellow Olympic speedskater Jordan Belchos, Maltais acknowledges the pivotal role of a sport physiologist at Quebec’s Intact Insurance Centre de Glaces in optimizing her training and preventing injuries. Together with Blondin and Weidemann, Maltais is focused on refining their race strategies to excel in both individual and team events.
The trio’s revamped approach paid off in Salt Lake City, where they demonstrated their ability to compete at the highest level. With eyes set on the upcoming Olympic Games, the Canadian skaters are strategically balancing their training to peak at the right moment.
Valérie Maltais and her teammates are gearing up for the challenges ahead, aiming to continue their success on the ice and secure their spots at the pinnacle of winter sports competition.