The skaters who did well at last fall’s World Cup are walking away with a head start, but Sébastien Cros assures very real-world events will spice up the short track tests on the Speed ​​Skating Trial, taking place at the Place Bell starting Friday.

The best six male and female skaters will receive their ticket for the last two World Cup stages in Germany and the Netherlands.

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The medal winners of the first four World Cups can use a podium per event (500 m, 1000 m and 1500 m) to create the ranking at the end of the selection.

“Some have a thicker mattress ahead of time,” the Canada team’s head coach explained of the team’s big names, but there will be struggles. The athletes have to perform well, especially in fifth and sixth place. »

Brunelle in good shape

After an injury in the fall, Florence Brunelle will make her comeback.

“Florence used the fall to renew a good base of physical and technical training,” explained Cros. It has been at a very good level again for a few weeks and will be able to play its cards by the end of the week. »

“In her last year of eligibility, her primary goal is the World Junior Championships,” added Cros, but she can definitely help us with the World Cup relay and do well in some individual events. She is back at a very good level. »

Boutin at his best

After a more difficult start to the season, where exhaustion from a different training program didn’t allow her to achieve the expected results at the World Cups in Montreal and Salt Lake City, Kim Boutin has regained her cruising speed.

“Since coming back from vacation, Kim has been training really, really well. Last week she set her personal best in the 400m. Her best 400m training time was four years ago when she won all 500m. It’s fun to see that performance continues to improve even with age. »

Charles’ absence raises doubts about his retirement

Everything indicates that Alyson Charles will be hanging on to his skates at the height of retirement.

Charles was absent from the first selections in October to concentrate on her studies at McGill and will also be conspicuous during the second selections by being away from Laval at the end of the week.

“Because Alyson is young [24 ans]”He’s talented and could improve, I’m surprised by his decision,” said Team Canada head coach Sébastien Cros. Alyson is 100% dedicated to the task and is picky which is a high energy demand. In these circumstances, an athlete may wish to retire. »

Charles is yet to formalize his decision with the Canada team but should do so shortly.

“We’re expecting a decision from him soon, but we’re giving him time,” Cros said. We respect his choice. Our program is flexible and we are open to her return should she change her mind. There are occasional reversals, but I don’t have any indication of that at the moment. »

The relay is OK

Charles’ departure could have hurt the 3,000m relay where it played such an important role, but Canada did well with one gold and three silvers in four races.

“We shot the season well and the six girls helped,” Cros said. Claudia Gagnon wasn’t there last year but, like Rikki Doak, she had World Cup experience.

“The only one who discovered the World Cup is Renée [Stenge]. There was good chemistry regardless of the girls we used. It shows depth. It’s really important that it doesn’t just depend on two or three athletes. »

adjustment

The selections will take place for the first time at the Place Bell instead of the Aréna Maurice Richard where the national center is located. In October, the selections took place at the Ice Center in Quebec.

It will be a kind of preparation for the World Cup next fall.

“It’s new ice and athletes have to adapt,” said the Canada team’s head coach. It’s like that everywhere we go. We went ice skating in Laval on Thursday. It will also be an opportunity for the Organizing Committee to prepare for the World Cup. »