Team Canada athletes won a flurry of skating medals over the weekend, including three for Ivanie Blondin at the first ISU World Cup of the long track speed skating season.

Carreira and Ponomarenko, who were second at NHK Trophy two weeks ago, likely must finish in the top two again this week. That would mean beating at least one of Skate Canada runners-up Marjorie Lajoie and Zachary Lagha of Canada and two-time world medalists Charlene Guignard and Marco Fabbri of Italy.

At the Cup of China, Marjorie Lajoie and Zachary Lagha claimed silver in ice dance, while Lia Pereira and Trennt Michaud earned bronze in pairs.