CALGARY | Laurent Dubreuil gave it his all to sign a third straight 500m win, but ran out of gas in the final 100 meters to finish on the third step of the podium at World Cup speed skating in Calgary on Saturday.
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Author of a good starting time of 9.58s and in a good position after the last corner, Dubreuil could not finish his race as strong as he does when he is at his best.
His time of 34.10 seconds earned him bronze. With career best times, Korean Jun-Ho Kim (34.07s) and American Jordan Stolz (34.08s) won gold and silver, respectively.
Dubreuil wins a fourth medal in as many races since the start of the season in the 500m.
“I had a good race but my legs weren’t as good as they have been in the past few weeks and I didn’t have the same punching power,” he explained. I’m sorry not to be happy with a third place, but it’s the best I could have done under the circumstances. I was very tired at the beginning of the week and this third place is better than I expected. Achieving a time of 34.10 despite the fatigue is encouraging.
“I still had enough energy to be good but not enough energy to be great,” the 30-year-old skater continued. Five events in six weeks is a lot. I wouldn’t have [sic] not complain if the World Cup hadn’t taken place that weekend. Going home and resting will be good before continuing a training cycle in anticipation of the last two World Cups and the World Cup. »
cannon launch
Gold medalist Kim’s hopes could have been dashed from the start when his blade pierced the ice.
“There’s a fine line between a perfect start and losing your balance,” said Dubreuil. You lean so far forward that you are at the limit. He recovered well and had a great start of 9.46s. I see myself in him. He’s improving every year and is currently enjoying his best career moments with three medals since the start of the season. I’m happy for him. »
How does he view the 1000m presented on Sunday, he who has won two silver medals in three races since the start of the season?
“We’ll see how much energy I have left, but I felt a little better today [samedi] as Friday. I hit rock bottom this week when I was burnt pretty stiff, but it’s a good sign I’ve been able to bounce back. I hope to keep my first place overall in the 1000m. »
Estimated break
Just like Dubreuil, Christopher Fiola will be enjoying the holidays to the fullest. His time of 34.67 seconds earned him 19th place.
“I had a better start than last week but my lap was worse. Despite everything, I remain in the top 10 [10e] to the general. It was my goal and mission accomplished for this first half of the season. »
Marvel at the American prodigy Pride
Laurent Dubreuil was left in disbelief at the performance of young American prodigy Jordan Stolz.
The 18-year-old American, who became a silver medalist in the 1500m on Friday, once again climbed the second step of the podium in the 500m.
“With the specialization I wasn’t expecting to see that again, a guy who wins a medal in the 500m and 1,500m the same weekend, Dubreuil mentioned. You see that once every ten years. An 18-year-old who pulls off such a feat has been unknown since Eric Heiden (the multiple American Olympic gold medalist). It’s almost scary to see how good he is at just 18 years old. It is difficult to understand that a person can succeed in what he does. »
“There are few skaters in history who have accomplished this feat,” continued Dubreuil. At the peak of his career at the 1984 Sarajevo Olympics, Gaétan Boucher, who is a legend, won medals in the 500m and 1500m but he did not do it again. »
Stolz’s performances reminded Dubreuil of the wise words of his mother (Olympian Ariane Loignon) when he was very young and already enjoying success.
“To make sure I stay humble, my mother told me there would always be someone [de] better than me, he said. I see what she means. Stolz is better than me in the 1000m but I can still beat him in the 500m. Stolz has a lot more talent than me and I will try to get as many medals as possible before he gets too strong. »
Dubreuil is not worried about the rise of Stolz, who on November 11 in Stavanger, Norway, became the youngest skater in history (18 years and 174 days) to win a World Cup gold medal.
“I don’t need to win to be happy,” he said. i like skating You become unhappy when your happiness is too tied to winning. Charles (Hamelin) had a very good last season, although his results in each race were not the same anymore. »
Junior World Record
For the fourth time this year, Stolz broke the world junior record in the 500m, a record Dubreuil set in Salt Lake City in January 2012 and had held for nine years.
The gifted youngster’s American sprint coach and personal trainer, Bob Corby, immortalized the moment by snapping a photo with the three medalists. “It’s difficult to beat a record because the equipment stops evolving,” explained Dubreuil. you have to be better »