Canadian speed skaters aim to continue early-season success

Speed Skating Canada named the athletes who will leave Wednesday to represent the country at the next two ISU World Cup long track speed skating stages to be held in Europe.

The third World Cup event of the 2015-2016 season will take place in Inzell, Germany from Dec. 4-6, with the fourth event to follow Dec. 11-13 in Heerenveen, Netherlands.

Among the 19 athletes Canada is sending (eight women, 11 men), is William Dutton from Humboldt, Sask., who will aim to pursue his streak as he has won four medals in four 500-metre events so far this season.

Ted-Jan Bloemen will be back home in the Netherlands following his new world record and gold medal in the 10,000m in Salt Lake City, Utah, and a bronze medal in the 5,000m in Calgary.

Ottawa's Ivanie Blondin will also be looking to add a third and fourth medal in the mass start events following her silver and bronze medals in the first two World Cups of the season.

Furthermore, Canada will look to add to the seven medals already won so far at each of the first two events — one less than the 15 won last season over seven World Cup events.

In Inzell, the skaters will take part in the 500m, 1000m, 1500m, women's 3000m, men's 5000m, mass start and team pursuit events, while the 500m, 1000m, 1500m, women's 3000m, men's 5000m, mass start, team pursuit and team sprint events are scheduled in Heerenveen.

Final distances for each skater will be announced in the week leading up to the respective competitions based on qualification at the fall World Cup Trials and quota spots for Canada for each event.

Full roster

WOMEN                                                             

• Ivanie Blondin (Ottawa, Ont.)
• Kali Christ (Regina, Sask.)
• Marsha Hudey (White City, Sask.)
• Kaylin Irvine (Calgary, Alta.)
• McLEAN, Heather McLean (Winnipeg, Man.)
• Josie Spence (Kamloops, B.C.)
• Brianne Tutt (Airdrie, Alta.)
• Isabelle Weidemann (Ottawa, Ont)

MEN

• Jordan Belchos (Toronto, Ont.)
• Ted-Jan Bloemen (Calgary, Alta.)
• Alex Boisvert-Lacroix (Sherbrooke, Que.)
• Vincent De Haitre (Cumberland, Ont.)
• Laurent Dubreuil (Levis, Que.)
• William Dutton (Humboldt, Sask.)
• Olivier Jean (Lachenaie, Que.)
• Gilmore Junio (Calgary, Alta.)
• Alexandre St. Jean (Quebec City, Que.)
• Stefan Waples (Winnipeg, Man.)
• Robert Watson (Whitby, Ont.)