The list of renowned athletes who have passed through the Lac-Beauport canoe-kayak club is long. However, none of them could match the performance of Elizabeth Desrosiers-McArthur, who became the club’s first representative at the World Junior Championships to win an individual medal alongside a team medal.
The competition, held in Auronzo, Italy, propelled the young athlete, who turns 18 at the end of the month, into another stratosphere of her sport. Even the Queen of Lac Beauport Club, Caroline Brunet, had never experienced such a surge at the World Junior Championships.
In the C1 200m, Desrosiers-McArthur delighted the gallery by winning silver in a time of 47.21 seconds, 0.72 seconds behind Hungary’s Agnes Kiss. This time he would have placed fourth in the U23 category, which is another good indicator of his level.
“It is really incredible. I didn’t expect it and I’m still surprised. I couldn’t have done better,” said the young athlete during a telephone interview before a transfer flight to Toronto Airport.
Quite a jump!
When discussing the surprise she felt, Elizabeth Desrosiers-McArthur is by no means exaggerating. Last year, in the same competition, she had to be content with participating in the B-finals and finished 10th.
“She got a good slap in the face,” summed up her trainer Frédéric Loyer, who enjoyed the performance of his protégé.
“Last year’s results were an opportunity for them and us to implement more professional strategies. “Elizabeth really took charge and we were able to refine several aspects with a level of training that matched her goals,” he continued.
Those goals were therefore dashed by the flawless performance despite a less explosive start than usual.
“I was only aiming for a place in the A final. I coped well with the stress of the competition despite a completely unsuccessful start. I’m usually explosive in the beginning, but my plan was reversed and towards the end I exploded. You have to know how to change,” remarked the one that her coach identifies as a great Olympic hope for 2028.
Gold in C4
The crew led by Elizabeth Desrosiers-McArthur led Canada to the top step of the podium in the C4 500m. PHOTO PROVIDED BY CANOE-KAYAK CANADA
Desrosiers-McArthur didn’t stop there though, as she also worked as a first rower until winning gold in the C4 500m with teammates Julia Price, Abby Wojtyk and Ruby Muhl.
“Lac-Beauport has won medals at World Juniors over the years, but a doubles event, including one over the Olympic singles distance, is unprecedented. “We have to keep working hard as nothing is ever given, but Elizabeth can reach her full potential if she keeps that momentum,” Loyer said of who earned her qualification for the event. at the last moment, during the national trials in Montreal at the end of June.
In the C2 500m for the under-23s, Viktor Hardy (19 and also from Lac-Beauport) and Zachary Kralik finished fourth in the B final.