Orléans native Ivanie Blondin has picked where she left off last season by winning a gold medal in the mass start at the opening World Cup event in Obihiro, Japan on Thursday.
The defending World Cup champion in the mass start beating out 21 other skaters to win the event, including teammate Valerie Maltais from Quebec who finished fourth.
"I wasn’t quite sure how I would do because we haven’t raced in quite some time, but the speed was there, and I was really happy with it. Near the end, I just went for it," Blondin said following the race.
On Friday, Blondin and Maltais teamed up with Beacon Hill native Isabelle Weidemann to win the silver medal in the Team Pursuit event.
The win in the mass start marked a return to the podium for Blondin following a successful 2022-23 season in which she won the World Cup title and brought home a silver medal from the World Championships. It was also the 33-year-old’s second career Mass Start medal from Obihiro, having previously won gold in 2014.
TAPROOM 260 presents Ryan King live and in concert at 260 Centrum Blvd. in the Centrum Plaza starting at 8 p.m. For more information visit facebook.com/Taproom260/events/.
STRAY DOG BREWING CO. presents The Wooden Nickels live in their taproom located at 501 Lacolle Way in the Taylor Creek Business Park. Tickets $10 available at straydogbrewing.ca. For more info visit facebook.com/StrayDogBrewingCompany.
OYSTER NIGHT at the Orléans Brewing Co., 4380 Innes Rd. from 6 to10 p.m. Indulge in the finest oysters and unwind with a drink in hand. We also offer wine and ciders for the non beer lovers.
STRAY DOG BREWING CO. presents Amechi Okodike live in their taproom located at 501 Lacolle Way in the Taylor Creek Business Park. Tickets $10 available at straydogbrewing.ca.
PAINT NIGHT starting at 6 p.m. at the Orléans Legion, 800 Taylor Creek Dr. Reserve your spot by emailing Melanie at rcl632orleansentertainment@gmail.com.
