CALGARY - Ivanie Blondin was built for speedskatings mass start race that could make its Winter Olympic debut in 2018. [url=htt

CALGARY - Ivanie Blondin was built for speedskatings mass start race that could make its Winter Olympic debut in 2018. Mets Jerseys 2020 .The 24-year-old from Ottawa has won four World Cup medals in as many races this season, including two gold. Blondin leads the overall standings for the womens World Cup mass start.Her short-track speedskating background gives her the tools to jostle for position among the 23 other skaters all leaving the start line at the same time.Blondin also has the endurance to race the 16 laps — over six kilometres — and finish strong. She won a World Cup bronze in the 5,000 metres Nov. 23 in Seoul, South Korea. Blondin finished fourth in a 3,000 on Dec. 13 in Heerenveen, Netherlands.Mens and womens mass start races will be on the menu at the world single distance championships Feb. 12-15 in Heerenveen.The International Skating Union has asked the International Olympic Committee to include a mens and womens mass start in the 2018 Winter Games in Pyeongchang, South Korea. The IOCs executive board will meet in April to approve the 2018 program.If mass start races get the green light for 2018, thats good news for Blondin.Its for sure my main event, she said Tuesday at the Olympic Oval.Its great. Its a little nerve-wracking too because its like oh my god, its real and I actually have a shot, a real good shot at getting an Olympic medal for my country at the next Olympics. Its a little scary and a little frightening, but Im excited more than anything too.Blondin started short-track speedskating at age 14, but switched to long-track at 20. Skaters race against each other in pairs in long-track, but they generally dont come in contact with each other. Theyre more concerned with the clock and their coaches barking out split times.The mass start in long-track incorporates some of the elbows-up contact of short-track races, as well as the cat-and-mouse strategy of passing competitors at the right time in the race.My comfort level skating in a group of girls or a pack is a lot higher than most of the girls who are out there, Blondin said.Coming from short-track, especially in Canada, it was such a competitive sport when I was younger that I know how to get around people, I know how to make room for myself, I know how to push people and stay on my feet and I know how to get pushed too.The inner warm-up lane is part of the race track for the mass start. According to the rules, if a crash occurs on the first lap involving six or more skaters, the race will be stopped and re-started immediately.Points are awarded for three intermediate sprints during the race and the final sprint to the finish, but the points are weighted so first, second and third over the finish line earn the medals.As a long-distance specialist, Blondin doesnt chase intermediate sprint points. She paces herself to be in good position and have enough in the tank for the final dash.Im always going for the podium, she said. Thats pretty much my tactic.Blondin has returned to Calgary and her training base at the Oval for the holidays and also for the Canadian single distance championships starting Friday. She intends to race the womens mass start Monday at the Oval.The next World Cup races are Jan. 31 and Feb. 1 in Hamar, Norway. Blondins strategy in World Cup mass start races are to draft behind the top skaters and make her move towards the end of the race.Its all about position, being smart and saving your energy for the last little bit, Blondin said.In an effort to become a stronger all-around skater and contend in the 1,000 and 1,500 metres, Blondin says shes worked on sprint speed this winter. That in turn has given her the power boost to pass other skaters during the mass start.I think training more for all-around and having the variety of being a little bit sprintier with the long distance is a great combination for that specific of an event, Blondin said.She has no shortage of challengers in the mass start. Irene Schouten of the Netherlands edged Blondin for gold Dec. 7 in Berlin, Germany.Many of the South Korean women also have a short-track background. Theyll pull out all the stops to win a medal on home ice in 2018. Stitched Mets Jerseys . "Weve given ourselves now a tougher task," said Carlyle after the Friday practice, the Toronto head coach notably chipper and upbeat throughout. "But the bottom line is we just have to win our share of games [and] not worry about what anybody else is doing. New York Mets Gear . Geovany Soto had an RBI for the Cubs. Carlos Silva gave up one run on three hits over six innings to pick up the win. Josh Willingham drove in the lone run for the Nationals, who had just four hits. https://www.cheapmetsjerseys.us/ . Yet heading to New York, the Habs remain positive as it all comes down to the one main ingredient that the organization has built its team on - character.CHARLOTTE, N.C. - Panthers All-Pro fullback Mike Tolbert will miss at least eight games with a hairline fracture in his left leg. Tolbert was placed on the injured reserve/designated to return list Tuesday. Under that designation, Tolbert can practice after six weeks, but isnt eligible to play until Nov. 30 at Minnesota. The bruising fullback was injured on a tackle involving ex-Panthers safety Mike Mitchell in Carolinas 37-19 lloss to Pittsburgh on Sunday night. Mets Jerseys China. Tolbert had seven rushing touchdowns last season. Carolina signed linebacker D.J. Smith to fill Tolberts roster spot. The 6-foot, 240-pound Smith attended training camp with the Panthers and was on their practice squad before being released on Sept. 3. Smith has played in 23 games with nine starts. Smith has 80 career tackles, two sacks and one interception. ' ' '