Vincent de Haître has taken another step closer to his goal of qualifying for the World Long Distance Speed ​​Skating Championships.

On Saturday afternoon to mark the final day of selection, taking place at the Center de glaces de Québec, de Haître won the 1000m to earn his ticket to the final two stages of the World Cup, which will be held in Poland in February. He crossed the finish line in 1:09:79.

“The goal for the weekend has been reached,” summed up the triple Olympic champion. It would have been ideal to qualify for the 1500m as well, but I almost fell and lost my speed. The qualification was in the foreground, not the time. I’m one step closer to my goal of qualifying for the World Championships in Heerenveen in March.”

In Poland, the French-Ontarian skater must score a better time than any of the other three Canadians present. Laurent Dubreuil, Antoine Gélinas-Beaulieu and Connor Howe, already pre-qualified for the final two stages of the World Cup, skipped selection for the weekend in Quebec.

“It’s possible to qualify for the world,” said de Haître, who competed in the Tokyo Olympics in the summer of 2021 on a track bike before returning to skating. I’m not where I want to be yet, but I still have a few weeks of training to continue my progress. I still have options to get faster. It would be worrying if I tried everything and didn’t get better, but that’s not the case.”

“During the second World Cup in Calgary, I was 0v1 with Laurent and Antoine chasing Haître. I’m getting closer and it’s better, but I still need to make changes. There is always a risk when you make changes.”

The French-Ontarian skater is convinced he can always progress. “I’m not a ‘was,'” he asserted. I’ve withdrawn from others because of my focus on cycling in anticipation of Tokyo, but I still have the qualities that have allowed me to be successful in the past. Just put the pieces back together.”

Still the Canadian 1000m record holder, de Haître had his best career moments in the 2016-2017 season.

David La Rue, who was victorious in the 1500m on Thursday which will allow him to reconnect with the World Cup for the first time since 2020, finished second in the 1000m with a time of 1:10s 01.