Gaétan Boucher had resumed training more than 25 years after winning the last competition. Not less. And he didn’t disappoint when he was crowned Masters World Champion yesterday at the Center de Glaces in Quebec City in front of an enthusiastic crowd who joined his cause.
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“I’m relieved it was tough,” said the Quebec champion with a smile of accomplishment. I’m glad I’m done.”
The speed skating legend has been causing a stir on the ring that bears his name since Friday. Overall leader in the 65-69 age group [il est âgé de 64 ans, mais son anniversaire est en mai] After three races, Boucher took the final start, the 3000m, with a narrow margin over his nearest rival, Dutchman Victor van den Hoff. It was far from in the bag.
Although Boucher finished fourth in the 3,000m with a time of 4:43.04, he triumphed in the four events ahead of van den Hoff, who finished second in the distance (4:40.33). .
“I expected it to be easier,” Boucher admitted, given my background and being a good skater. But the [patins à] Flaps play a different role. My technique from back then doesn’t work with clapping, I’m not that efficient. It takes a little advantage I had back then. And on a physical level, trying to perform again as you age is no longer the same. I’m happy to have started again, it was a challenge for me.