As the 1500m winner, La Rue earned his ticket to the final two stages of the World Cup of the season in Poland. It’s a first since winter 2020 and La Rue will get a bonus chance to qualify for the World Cup if he manages to finish in the top three Canadians in the final FIFA World Cup year.
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“It feels good to perform like that,” said the skater with his best smile. It’s been a long time since I’ve competed in a World Cup. I’ve had some disappointments over the last two years due to various injuries and I’m happy to have proved that I still have international stature. »
“I’ve worked hard over the last few months and my efforts have paid off,” added La Rue, who beat Jake Weidemann and Vincent de Haître in 1:47.47. It was a blow in October when my buddies left for the World Cup and I was one of the only ones who stayed here. I had the chance to compete internationally early in my career, but that choice is even more satisfying given the context. »
While he will also try to qualify in the 1000m on Saturday, La Rue is not setting any performance targets for his return to the big stage.
“I want to rediscover the experience and racing feeling at the highest level so that it comes back naturally. I want to build on that. »
bad race
Valérie Maltais, pre-qualified in anticipation of the last two World Cups over 3000m, mass start and team pursuit, wanted to add an event to her schedule but was not having a good day.
The Olympic champion in the Beijing team pursuit finished third in the 1,500m with a time of 2:00.13.
“I’m not happy at all with my race,” Maltais summed up. My execution, unlike what happened in training, was not on point. The intensity was there at the start but I wasn’t leaning on the ice enough. I know what I had to do, but I didn’t. The form is there, but I wasn’t even tired when I finished
my race. »
“I’m disappointed but I shouldn’t try to analyze my race too much,” added Maltais, who will also start in the 1,000m. The 1500m qualification would have been a bonus. On the 1000 m I will try to train my speed. On Friday I have a big bike training session [aujourd’hui]. The focus is on my end of the season and not on my race tomorrow. »