Steven Dubois won what is perhaps the most spectacular silver medal of his career at the Short Track World Cup in speed skating in the Maurice Richard Arena on Saturday.

Pushed back to last place after a collision with Belgian Stijn Desmet, Dubois opened up the turbo to get back in the fight for the podium. After returning to third place, the three-time Beijing Olympics medalist surprised Korea’s Hong Kyung Hwan by stealing his silver medal at the finish line. the photo done had to choose between the two skaters.

Dubois eventually beat his opponent by 0s 001 to climb to the second step of the 1500m podium and elude the Koreans by a double.

“I told Jordan [Pierre-Gilles] that I thought I had the money, but I hesitated a little, he said. I arrived so quickly that I surprised many people. The Korean didn’t see me coming, otherwise I wouldn’t have been able to move up to second place. »

disqualification

After clashing with the Belgian, who ended up being disqualified for illegally overtaking Pascal Dion and ruining the runner-up’s race, did Dubois believe in his chances of returning to the fray?

“When I found myself in the back row, I took my bellows and made one reset to default, he explained. It’s a spectacular race but nothing can beat my victory in Dresden when I went from fourth to first and won gold. »

Dubois was overjoyed.

“I had a very good day with two medals and we were dominant to qualify for the final in the 5000m relay,” said the man who won a bronze medal in the 2000m relay (mixed) for ice skating received in the quarterfinals. In the end I didn’t have to do anything in the 5000m as the guys revved up the bike a few laps before the end. »

Indeed, with a great acceleration, Maxime Laoun has increased a significant gap with Kazakhstan, and Canada has never been concerned. The Chinese fell after leading most of the race. “Our plan was to remain calm and opportunistic,” said Laoun, who reached the 1,000m B final. I used a good drive from Pascal to take the lead. »

No surprise

For his part, Dion was not surprised by Desmet’s gesture. At the time of the incident, the vice world champion was in second place with four laps to go.

“He’s always trying to overtake quickly by being super aggressive,” he explained. He attacked me like a hockey player. Since I’m not fat and he’s a big guy, it was a big duel. I had a good race and used a good strategy, but you can’t do anything with a maneuver like that in the final. If we had been in the semifinals I would have gone through, but you don’t forgive that in the final. »

At the foot of the podium

Jordan Pierre-Gilles nearly managed the same feat as Dubois, but he came up short. The Sherbrooke skater was delighted with his fourth place finish in the 1000m.

“The guys knew before the relay that I was upset about missing the podium so close, but that fourth place encouraged me to push even harder and served as motivation. Our performance in the relay was balm for the heart. »

“With the experience I’ve gained and the improvements on a physical and strategic level, anything is possible for me in the 1000 m,” continued Pierre-Gilles. I’m labeled as a 500m skater, but I can do well at 1000m too. »

Claudia Gagnon is not intimidated

Claudia Gagnon excelled in the 1500 meter final in the Oberliga.

With four laps to go and in second place, just ahead of multiple Dutch Olympic champion Suzanne Schulting, Gagnon overtook Korean world champion Kim Geon Hee to take the lead.

“It was an exciting overtaking maneuver and I could hardly believe it when I took the lead just a few laps before the end. Before the start of the final I was a little impressed with my opponents, but I didn’t want to be disturbed during the race. Rikki [Doak] and I, we always tell ourselves that our opponents are pawns and not names, so we don’t get intimidated. »

Short term presence

Gagnon’s presence in the front row was short-lived. Schulting reacted immediately with a big outside pass to overtake the two leaders and drive to victory.

The final laps were more difficult for the skater from La Baie, and she finished the race in seventh place.

“I’m happy with my race and my result,” she said. I wanted to try and be aggressive and I did. I was brave without fear of failure. The last year of training and my work this summer have given me more self-confidence. I’m not afraid to dare. That’s what I remember most
my race. »

3000m relay final

Not without difficulty, Canada secured their ticket to the 3000m relay final despite finishing third in a heat won by the Americans. Poland fell after a good start.

Due to a contact with Gagnon midway through the 18-round event, Korea was subsequently eliminated from the competition.

“We would have liked to finish first or second to qualify,” said Gagnon, “but the Korean hit me. We’ve tried things like outside passes, which is pretty rare in the relay, but we can do better in the final. »

Kim Boutin withdrew from the 1000mB final to save her powers for the relay. The Canadian quartet was completed by Danaé Blais and Renee Steenge.

Canada will face the Americans, the Dutch and the Italians in the final on Sunday afternoon.

A first world championship medal at 16

Short track skater Mathieu Pelletier wins bronze in the mixed relay

Making his World Cup debut aged just 16, Mathieu Pelletier quickly shone by winning his first medal.

In a mixed relay where Canada decided to go for youth, Pelletier, Félix Roussel and Rikki Doak, with the exception of Courtney Sarault, won the bronze medal.

Photo credit: Photo Martin Chevalier

After the Dutchman fell, Canada found themselves in second place and Pelletier took over the final stint. The second youngest Canadian skater in history to compete at the World Championships was beaten at the finish line by Belgium, who took silver. Korea won gold in front of many fans.

“I had chills when I did the last stint in second place, but I managed to stay focused,” said the Laval skater. I knew the Belgian would try to overtake on the outside. I had a loss of balance [il a franchi le fil sur les fesses], but I managed to keep the medal. »

At 21, Roussel also lived out his World Cup baptism.

“It’s fun that me and Mathieu shared these moments,” said the Sherbrooke skater. We were both nervous before the final. The veterans trusted us and showed us the way. »

“A World Cup is really different,” added Pelletier. When the students screamed in the stands on the first day, it was really something. »

In the 2000 m relay, the youngsters could rely on Sarault.

“Courtney was really solid and put us in our place,” said Roussel. When she pushed me and threw me”get it‘ it reassured me. »

New Brunswick Connection

If the two recruits enjoyed living this moment together, so did Sarault and Rikki Doak. The two New Brunswick skaters have been training together for ages.

“It’s incredible to win this medal with Rikki,” said the Moncton skater. We’ve been skating together for a long time and we trust each other so much. »

“I’m proud of the boys’ performance,” continued Sarault. I love getting involved with the relays, so I gave Félix a few words of encouragement during an exchange. This gives more motivation and self-confidence. »

Demanding semi-final

The semi-finals weren’t easy for the Canadian relay team, who took advantage of a stroke of luck to earn their ticket to the finals.

In fourth, Canada took advantage of a duel between the Chinese and the Japanese to slip to second place and secure a ticket to the finals.

In the end, China, which was in second place at the time of the incident, was disqualified and Japan took third place. The Netherlands took first place.

Canada relied on the same four runners in the semifinals and final.