Valérie Maltais is gearing up for her fifth Olympic Games with an impressive start to the World Cup season. The 35-year-old speed skater from La Baie, Quebec, achieved her fastest 3,000-meter time, securing a silver medal in Salt Lake City. Following another silver in the women’s mass start and a team pursuit silver, Maltais is looking to maintain her momentum in Calgary this Friday.
Excited for the upcoming 3k race in Calgary, Maltais is focused on executing her race plan effectively. Calgary marks the second stop out of five in the World Cup season, with 27 Canadians competing for medals and Olympic qualification for the 2026 Games in Milan and Cortina, Italy.
Having won Olympic medals in both short track and long track, Maltais transitioned to long track in 2019, winning team pursuit gold in Beijing in 2022 alongside Ivanie Blondin and Isabelle Weidemann. Maltais, along with a select group of Canadian athletes from the 2010 Olympic Games, continues to excel in her sport.
Emphasizing the importance of experience and advancements in training technology and athlete support, Maltais credits her peak performance to these factors. With access to a sport physiologist during off-season training, Maltais highlights the significance of personalized training strategies for optimal performance and injury prevention.
Teaming up with Blondin and Weidemann, the trio implemented a new race strategy in Salt Lake City, aiming to stay competitive with top teams. Looking ahead to the Olympic Games, the focus remains on peak performance, with the athletes training through the World Cups to be at their best for the upcoming Games.
As the Canadian speed skaters prepare for the challenges ahead, their strategic approach and training focus are geared towards achieving success on the international stage.