HEERENVEEN - Canadian speedskater Ivanie Blondin raced to World Cup bronze in the women's 1,500-metre Saturday, reaching the podium in the distance for the first time since 2020.

Blondin crossed the finish line in one minute 53.43 seconds to place behind Dutch skaters Antoinette Rijpma-De Jong (1:53.36) and Joy Beune (1:53.10), who skated to gold and silver before a hometown crowd.

Blondin, who won gold in team pursuit and silver in mass start at the 2022 Beijing Olympics, moved into sixth overall in the 1,500 standings.

The 35-year-old from Ottawa last placed in the 1,500 top three during the 2019-20 season.

Elsewhere, Dutch-Canadian skater Ted-Jan Bloemen, who represents Canada, finished seventh in the men's 10,000.

Competition in Heerenveen concludes Sunday with the men’s and women

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