Speed skaters Ted-Jan Bloemen, Heather McLean win World Cup bronze
Canadians competing at long track event in Norway
Canadian long track speed skater Ted-Jan Bloemen won bronze in the men's 5,000-metres and teammate Heather McLean added bronze in the women's 500 at an ISU World Cup on Saturday in Stavanger, Norway
Bloemen, from Calgary, took third place in his first competitive race since suffering a leg injury in early December. He finished in six minutes, 18.05 seconds, just behind Dutch skaters Sven Kramer (6:15.71) and Jorrit Bergsma (6:17.59).
"It was a really solid performance and I'm happy to come back like this from my injury," Bloemen said.
"I'm still up there. Give me two more weeks and I think I will be able to be on the top of the podium. It's a good confidence boost for sure."
McLean, from Winnipeg, finished third in the 500 in 38.02 seconds. China's Jing Yu (37.63) and Hong Zhang (37.82) took the first two positions.
It was the Canadian's second bronze medal of the season.
"I didn't want the first time I earned a medal this season to be just a fluke, so I'm happy to get another one this season," said McLean.