Three UCalgary Grads Capture World Championship Medals

In a triumphant display of skill and determination, Isabelle Weidemann BSc’23, Maddison Pearman BSc’21, and Carolina Hiller BSc’23 claimed impressive victories on their home ice at the 2024 International Skating Union World Speed Skating Championships, hosted at the Olympic Oval, University of Calgary, in February. 

The Canadian contingent, playing host to the World Championships in Calgary for the first time since 1998, secured a remarkable total of 10 medals, setting a new national record and marking this event as the most successful World Championships in Canadian team history. 

“It’s an incredible feeling to become a World Champion, but to do it for the first time on my home ice in front of my friends and family is something that I will never forget.” Said Pearman, who grew up in Ponoka, Alberta and has competed, worked and volunteered at the Olympic Oval. “I’ve been skating and competing at the Olympic Oval for over 20 years and I remember coming to the Oval in the 2000s and 2010s to watch the greats like Jeremy Wotherspoon, Cindy Klassen and Christine Nesbitt (BA’16), win medals and to now be part of the club is really surreal.” 

Starting things off was Weidemann, whose stellar performance saw her named Vice-World Champion in the women’s 3000m event. This achievement marked her first individual distance medal at the ISU World Championships, adding to her previous podium success in the Team Pursuit. Weidemann, a bronze medalist in the 3000m at the 2022 Olympic Games in Beijing, also clinched Olympic silver in the 5000m and gold in the team pursuit alongside teammates Ivanie Blondin and Valerie Maltais and was named Canada’s flag bearer for the 2022 closing ceremonies.  

The formidable trio of Weidemann, Maltais, and Blondin, the defending Olympic and World Champions in the Team Pursuit, continued their dominance with a silver medal finish. Despite finishing +2.83 seconds behind the gold medal-winning Dutch team, their time of 2:54.03 reaffirmed their status among the elite in speed skating. As a trio this group shares four career World Championship medals in the Team Pursuit, including gold in 2023, silver in 2021, and bronze in 2020.

Meanwhile, 2023 kinesiology graduates Hiller and Pearman joined Blondin on the top of the podium with a gold medal performance in the Team Sprint event. Crossing the finish line in 1:25.14, they outpaced competitors from the United States and Poland. This victory marked Canada’s second consecutive World Championship title in the women’s Team Sprint, following their triumph in Heerenveen the previous season.   

“This building and the people around here are like my second family and we are so incredibly lucky to have this facility here.” Said Pearman, “I wouldn’t have been able to complete my Kinesiology degree or work part-time without it. I’m so honoured to be part of the Olympic Oval’s legacy.” 

The remarkable achievements of these UCalgary graduates and their teammates not only reflect their individual talent but also underscore Canada’s continuing prominence in the world of speed skating. As they continue to push boundaries and inspire future generations, their dedication and passion for the sport fuels Canada’s competitive fire on the international stage.