HEERENVEEN, The Netherlands | The wait lasted three years, but Laurent Dubreuil and Antoine Gélinas-Beaulieu finally enjoyed their revenge by winning gold in the team sprint with Christopher Fiola.
• Also read: Le Journal in the Netherlands: a personal victory for Valérie Maltais in the 3000m
Today, in a prelude to the World Long Distance Speed Skating Championships being held in Thialf, Canada (1st 19th, 26th minute) beat the Netherlands (1st 19th, 67th minute) and Norway (1st 19th, 80th minute) . minute). Dream evening after the victory of the women’s team.
“It’s special to get the win in Salt Lake City after our disqualification three years ago [2020], mentioned Dubreuil, who will be back in action for the 500m tomorrow as he will aim for the doubles after winning here in 2021. We had won, but a questionable decision had taken the gold from us. It was difficult to accept and this victory makes it possible to close the wound. It was the first time we’ve done the team sprint since Salt Lake City. »
Canada had been penalized for throwing outside the rally zone. Gilmore Junio completed the Canadian line.
Antoine Gélinas-Beaulieu enjoyed the moment. “These are memories I will remember for the rest of my life,” he said. It’s fun to start the worlds this way. Since the team sprint is not an Olympic race, the pressure is less. We just wanted to go fast and have fun. We can start the World Cup with our heads held high. »
The victory had a special cachet because the team was all Quebec. “We want to win all the time but a win with guys from the same training center adds another level,” said Dubreuil. I’ve spent two thirds of my life with Antoine and have been skating with Christopher for several years. I will remember this win. With our victory in Poland at the last World Cup and this one, we showed that we are the best team. »
Successful return
Abandoned in Poland, Fiola resumed his place. He had to avoid a hot start to allow Gélinas-Beaulieu to hold out and not run the final lap in the red.
“I started faster than in practice but Antoine was able to keep up the pace and finished strong,” he explained. This is my first career medal at the Senior World Championships. It sounds good to me that we are world champions. »
Gold for women too
The women’s relay, consisting of Brooklyn McDougall, Carolina Hiller and Ivanie Blondin, clocked a time of 1:26:29 to beat the Americans (1:26:57) and the Chinese (1:27:86) and the first medal of the championship to win gold in canada.
Multiple Olympic and World Championships medalist Blondin cheered on the podium. “I’m really excited and it’s like winning my first World Cup,” she said. I’ve come a long way in my career and I’m proud to share this moment with two girls making their international debut. I’m proud of the girls. it comes for me »
This gold medal was expected as Canada won silver three times at the World Championships. “After my 3000m, where I didn’t have great legs, I immediately found my smile as we started preparing for the sprint. I changed my feelings »