After enjoying her best racing weekend of her career in Salt Lake City, Valérie Maltais continued her momentum this afternoon by winning her second career individual World Cup medal in front of her family and friends at the Center de Ice Cream.
• Also read: After having her best race weekend of her career, Valérie Maltais is looking to continue her momentum from Salt Lake City
Maltais took the bronze medal in the 3000m with a time of 4:02:73, narrowly beating his teammate and three-time Olympic medalist Isabelle Weidemann (4:02:79), causing hysteria among his relatives.
“A first medal is very special, but this second medal won at home is very special and surpasses my first,” she expressed with her best smile. I don't know if it affects the performances, but I heard my loved ones until the end and felt the energy coming from the stands. It's not 12,000 people, but the stands are right over the ice and we think there are a lot more people.
“My family has been here for a long time and the train never stops,” added the 31-year-old skater, who will be back in action on Sunday in the 1500m and mass start. I left the short route, moved to Calgary for the long route and am back in Quebec. It's really special to win this medal in front of my loved ones. I realize where I am and I'm very emotional in front of my family.
Proud of her journey
This second medal has a special meaning. “It shows that I never gave up and continued to believe in my potential,” she admitted. When I came to long track after my short track career, I looked down on the girls and thought they were very good. It's hard to believe where I came from.
DIDIER DEBUS SCISSORS/JOURNAL DE QUEBEC
The skater from La Baie is looking forward to the World Championships in two weeks with confidence. “The podium is within reach at the World Championships. I can still improve and go faster.”
A 3e cumulative location
With his bronze medal, he finished the season in third place overall over 3000 m. “That was my big goal for the weekend,” she said. I showed consistency throughout the season. Gregor (Jelonek) gave me my split times, but in the end I didn't see them anymore. I never stopped and gave it my all in the end.”
Overall, Maltais only had to admit defeat to the Norwegian world champion Ragne Wiklund and the Czech world record holder Martina Sablikova.
Satisfied with her race even before the medal
With two pairs to go, Maltais was in 2nd place and impressive runners came to the start line. Dutchwoman Joy Beune finally beat her with a time of 4:02:62 and took silver. The great Irene Schouten climbed to the top of the podium with a time of 4:01:11.
“Even before I knew my result, I was happy with my race,” she said. With a couple, I felt the excitement increase.”
Jelonek's right-hand man and man in charge of the long-distance runners, Muncef Ouardi, believes Maltais performed better than last week in Salt Lake City. “It was a better race,” he said. The two Dutch women were a bit tired. We kept our fingers crossed for a medal, even though we knew there was a chance she wouldn't win one, but Valérie took part in a whole race. She's gaining a lot of confidence and it's fun to see her two weeks before the World Cup. She has been waiting for these medals for a long time.”