HEERENVEEN, The Netherlands | The stars have lined up to see the entire Dubreuil clan reunite to see Laurent in action on the international stage for the first time.
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After a journey full of unforeseen events due to mood swings from Mother Nature in Toronto and delays in London, the Dubreuil clan finally landed in Amsterdam on Tuesday night, 12 hours later than expected.
Nothing changed in the enthusiasm of the group. The family has rented a house in Grou, a small town about 20 minutes from Heerenveen, and are enjoying the experience.
“It’s really fun that everyone is here,” commented mother Ariane Loignon. This is our first trip to Europe with the whole family plus Andréanne [l’épouse de Laurent] is with the children. I am very happy. »
According to the father, everything is prepared for a very special experience. “All the ingredients for an exceptional weekend are there,” said Robert Dubreuil. Laurent is the defending 500m champion, he’s won the World Cup for the last two years, it’s the World Championship and he likes to skate here. Could not be better. »
“He’s Favorite”
The coach at the Gaétan Boucher Training Center, Laurent’s little brother Daniel, agrees, he got his ear pulled for not wanting to leave his skaters.
“It’s great that we’re all here because Laurent has a chance to win,” he said. He is the favorite and became overall winner. We might see him again in a few years, but he won’t necessarily have a chance to win. »
“Even though I’m in an intense phase at the center, the worlds have fallen well and I was able to break free,” continues Daniel. I’m leaving on Monday but I’ll be there for the races. I want to benefit from it. When I was 17, I remember Gregor’s words [Jelonek] who said it stunk because there was smoke everywhere but that the Thialf was legendary. »
Daniel is one of the few who can give advice to his brother, with the exception of his trainer Gregor Jelonek, of course.
Big emotions in sight
“I wear two hats, the coach’s hat and the fan’s hat. Laurent trusts my technical eye. As a coach I am very analytical. I only become a fan when skaters impress me. With the best here, the opportunities will be plentiful. »
Anna-Belle will be sitting on the edge of the seat tomorrow while her big brother will start the 500 meters.
“I’m a sensitive person and will have to hold back my emotions when Laurent competes,” she said. I don’t miss a race at night or early in the morning and it’s very special to be there. »
A plan in mind
Last March, as the youngest of the family watched the World Cup finals in Heerenveen – where Dubreuil had confirmed his first overall title after contracting COVID-19 in Norway at the Sprint Worlds and having an incredible week – the youngest of the family has his plan in mind.
“I got up to watch the World Cup final and I thought that the 2023 World Cup will also be in Heerenveen and that I wanted to be there. We wanted to come [son conjoint Antoine Roy est aussi présent] even if the parents did not come. »
Antoine and Daniel will also use their stay in the Netherlands to skate in a ring or two nearby.
“I went my own way”
Photo Richard Boutin
Laurent Dubreuil, his wife Andréanne Bastille and their children Rose and Nathan, who sported a new haircut for two days, were able to enjoy some moments together after training for the Canada team yesterday.
Practically born on ice skates and the son of two Olympic parents, everything made Laurent Dubreuil ideal for a career in speed skating.
Dubreuil grew up in an environment in which sport took a special place. He took his first steps on the family ice rink at the age of two, joined Club Saint-Étienne at four, rose through the ranks and reached the pinnacle of his sport in 2021 when he was crowned world champion in the 500m.
Laurent, his brother Daniel and his sister Anna-Belle all practiced speed skating.
“The only rule at home was that we had to join a sport and I will do the same with my kids because there are so many life lessons to be learned,” said Dubreuil.
“I was destined to try, but my parents never pressured me to skate or perform because they were ex-skaters. Every year they asked us if we wanted To again. At some point my sister started dancing. »
No guarantee of success
The past of his father Robert, who competed in the 1988 Calgary and 1992 Albertville games, and his mother Ariane Loignon, who also competed in the Olympic Games on Canadian soil, did not guarantee success for the family elder.
“I’ve been lucky enough to be surrounded by good and good, but that doesn’t mean you’re going to be better than the others if your parents are athletes,” he points out.
“In the family, all three of us skate and I’m the only one who has reached the World Cup. Charles Hamelin, Samuel Girard and Kim Boutin have more talent than me and their parents didn’t have international careers. Likewise my daughter [Rose] who started skating doesn’t go home with a head start because of his father’s successes.
“There are no guarantees no matter what your parents did. My parents helped me and gave me good advice, but I went my own way. There are so many factors that can affect your career path. »
The five members of the Dubreuil clan have all won at least one medal at the Canada Games.
A valued presence
Dubreuil is very happy to be able to count on the presence of his bodyguard in the Netherlands.
“If my parents and Andréanne have seen me a lot, it’s the first time my brother and sister see me outside of Quebec and it’s really fun. Everyone will be there and I am very happy. I can’t wait to go on holiday with my parents after the World Cup. »
There’s an old taxi on the Ring
At the wheel of a 1954 Mercedes, Vincent de Haître drives to the Canadian team’s training sessions. The owner of the car, a former skater who also owns Café it Houtsje, where the athletes’ party will take place on Sunday evening at the conclusion of the World Championships, lent him the keys.
The car has lost its main purpose, but the owner uses it as a promotional tool. He’s an Austrian skater who trains in the Netherlands and used to have the privilege of driving the Mercedes when the World Championships landed in Heerenveen, but he’s now retired and de Haître is taking over. Bram Smallenbroek’s name is also written on the car.
place in the Holland Cup
Heerenveen has a football team in the Dutch first division within the Eredivisie which was founded in 1956 and has 18 teams. Experts reckon it’s the sixth-best league in Europe, especially after powerhouses Britain and Spain.
In a town of just under 50,000, Heerenveen has a 25,000 seat stadium that rocked for a Holland Cup match last night. SC Heerenveen was founded in 1920. Leading the championship with just one defeat on his record, the colors of Feyenoord Rotterdam were the visitors at Abelenstra Stadion.
Season ticket holder Auke Bijlsma, who welcomed Laurent Dubreuil to the 2019 World Sprints along with his wife Willemien, was apparently present at the game. He shared his tickets with his Quebec friends who were in attendance for the whole world.
Ice hockey at Thialf
The United Flyers of Heerenveen, who play in the BeNe League, consisting of 18 Dutch and Belgian teams, play in Thialf. Unlike the NHL Flyers, they wear yellow, red, and white. Head coach is Ontario native Mike Nason, a past player for the Flyers and a former University of Toronto varsity blues player.