Speed skater Ted-Jan Bloemen lowers his Canadian record in 5,000m

Ted-Jan Bloemen is a confident speed skater early on this season, thanks in part to teammate Denny Morrison.

The 30-year-old lowered his Canadian record time in the men's 5,000 metres, clocking six minutes 11.64 seconds at the Olympic Oval Fall Classic in Calgary on Saturday.

Bloemen's previous mark of 6:12.72, set on Nov. 13, 2015 in Calgary, was more than a second slower.

"I didn't expect this at all," the long-track skater, who shattered the world record in the 10,000 last year, told Speed Skating Canada. "It's a very nice confidence boost at the start of the season.

"I skated better Saturday than I had in training last week. It means I did the right things this [past] summer and it is now coming together."

Morrison, who is back competing after a cerebrovascular accident this past April and a serious motorcycle accident in May 2015, lowered his personal-best time in the 3,000 with a 3:42.21 clocking on Friday at the Fall Classic competition.

Eleven years ago, the four-time Olympic medallist had crossed the line in 3:43.47.

"I was very inspired by Denny on Friday," Bloemen said. "I think that race was very impressive."