Maltais Wins Bronze | Milano Cortina 2026 Olympics

Valérie Maltais of Team Canada secured a bronze medal in the women’s 1500m long track speed skating event on Friday, February 20, 2026, at the Milano Cortina 2026 Games. This marks her third medal of the competition, adding to a previous bronze in the 3000m and a gold medal won as part of the team pursuit alongside Ivanie Blondin and Isabelle Weidemann.

A Tight Race for the Podium

Maltais initially took the lead with a time of 1:54.40 after skating in the 10th of 15 pairings. However, Norway’s Ragne Wiklund, already a medalist in the 3000m and 5000m events, surpassed her time by 0.25 in a later pairing. Antoinette Rijpma-de Jong then secured the gold with a time of 1:54.09, pushing Maltais into the bronze medal position.

A Decorated Career

This latest achievement represents the fifth career Olympic medal for Valérie Maltais. This accomplishment places her in a distinguished group, tied for second among Canadians with the most Winter Olympic medals.

Did You Know? This is only the fourth time Canada has won an Olympic medal in the women’s 1500m.

Canada’s history in the women’s 1500m at the Olympics includes a shared podium appearance by Cindy Klassen and Kristina Groves at the 2006 Turin Games, where they won gold and silver, respectively. Groves later added another silver medal at the 2010 Vancouver Games.

Expert Insight: Maltais’s consistent performance across multiple events demonstrates a high level of athleticism and strategic racing, positioning her as a key competitor for Team Canada throughout the Milano Cortina 2026 Games.

Looking Ahead

With several events still remaining at Milano Cortina 2026, Valérie Maltais could potentially add to her medal count. Further success for the Canadian team may depend on maintaining this momentum and adapting to changing race conditions. Other skaters, like Ragne Wiklund and Antoinette Rijpma-de Jong, are likely to remain strong contenders in upcoming events.

Frequently Asked Questions

What medal did Valérie Maltais win?

Valérie Maltais won the bronze medal in the women’s 1500m long track speed skating event.

How many medals has Valérie Maltais won at Milano Cortina 2026?

Valérie Maltais has won three medals at Milano Cortina 2026: a bronze in the 3000m, a gold in the team pursuit and a bronze in the 1500m.

When was the last time Canada won a medal in the women’s 1500m before this event?

The last time Canada won a medal in the women’s 1500m was at the 2010 Vancouver Games, when Kristina Groves won a silver medal.

What does this latest medal signify for the broader Canadian performance at the Milano Cortina 2026 Games?