BEIJING — Canadian speedskaters Isabelle Weidemann, Ivanie Blondin and Valérie Maltais advanced to the semifinals of the women's team pursuit Saturday at the Beijing Olympics.
They posted the second-fastest time in the quarterfinals behind Japan, which finished in an Olympic record two minutes 53.61 seconds.
The Canadians were 0.36 back of the Japanese.Â
the Netherlands and Russia were third and fourth respectively to advance to Tuesday's semifinals, which will be followed by the final the same evening.
Ottawa's Weidemann is chasing a third medal in Beijing after taking silver in the 5,000 metres and bronze in the 3,000.
Team pursuit, which involves three skaters per country racing both head-to-head against another team and the clock, made its Olympic debut in Turin 2006.
The Canadian team of Kristina Groves, Clara Hughes, Christine Nesbitt, Cindy Klassen and Shannon Rempel combined to win silver that year. Canada has not won a medal in women's team pursuit since those Games.
Blondin, Weidemann and Josie Morrison finished fourth four years ago in Pyeongchang, South Korea.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Feb. 12, 2022.
The Canadian Press
