Chasing morale Returning from Europe, where he had competed in the first two stages of the season’s World Championship, Antoine Gélinas-Beaulieu discovered an excellent way to find a smile.

On Saturday, at the Center de Glaces, Gélinas-Beaulieu scored his first career victory on the international stage in the senior category after the 1500m contested during the Four Continents Championship.

• Also read: Four Continents Championship: the 500m gold medal for Dubreuil

• Also read: Laurent Dubreuil enjoys his revenge

The Sherbrooke native didn’t do things by halves as he set a career best time and set a new course record of 1:44:67. Reached on October 15, the previous mark of 1:44:77 belonged to Canadian Connor Howe.

“This result exceeds my expectations,” admitted Gélinas-Beaulieu. When I came back from the World Cup my morale was pretty low. I was disappointed not to be able to participate in the mass start. Although I was fighting for the win in the selection, I fell and was pushed back to the last row.

“Listening to Eminem, I felt in a good mood to continue Gélinas-Beaulieu, whose bad luck in selection deprives him of his favorite test. I entered the Four Continents Championship with anger in my heart. I had an exceptional 5000m on Friday and I knew I was going to have a good run in the 1500m. Beating the course record set by Connor Howe, who had an excellent race, shows that I too have the potential to finish in the top five in the World Cup. »

Good start

Gélinas-Beaulieu opened the machine from the start and set very good times on the first two laps.

“That’s how you can really perform,” he explained. The last lap was difficult, but the amateurs helped me. It hurt, but I experienced ecstasy as I crossed the finish line. In the World Cup, I ride conservatively for the first two laps and hold off with energy. »

Gélinas-Beaulieu fully enjoyed the experience of skating in front of his loved ones and he hopes his performance will inspire the youngest.

“Coming in at home is one of the best feelings you can have,” he said. I remember being inspired by Marc Gagnon during a World Championship at Maurice-Richard. Now it’s my turn to make the eyes of the youngest ones shine. I will show my medal to my nephew and niece and they will see that anything is possible. »

Jake Weidemann, brother of Isabelle Weidemann, three-time Olympic champion at the Beijing Games, won bronze.

Second Gold Medal

After winning her first career individual medal with a win in the 3000m on Friday, Valérie Maltais continued her momentum by winning gold in the mass start.

“It puts pressure on for next week at the World Cup,” she joked. I’m very happy with my race. It’s very different from the World Cup when I’m the best. This time the roles were reversed as I was the favorite and was being watched.

“I was patient to maximize my speed at the end of the race,” Maltais continued. This is an aspect that I need to improve. I sprinted progressively without worrying about where my opponents were. I feel in good shape and I wanted to do well at home. It wasn’t a race I took lightly, even though it didn’t include the best in the world. »

Alison Desmarais provided another medal for Canada with bronze.

The Maltais will take part in Sunday’s team pursuit alongside Béatrice Lamarche and Maddison Pearman, a first experience together for the three skaters.

Laurent Dubreuil, gold medalist in Friday’s 500m and team sprint, will be back in action in the 1000m where he is also aiming for the top step of the podium.