“Being in the mix” is certainly not Marc Gagnon’s leitmotif at the dawn of his first season as head coach of the Canadian short track speed skating team.
“I’m going to put a little pressure on them,” he announced, turning to the 10 athletes who will represent Canada during the very first stage of the new World Tour contested at the Maurice-Richard arena in Montreal, from October 25 to 27.
After wishing “good success” to the 10 skaters, whose identities were revealed Wednesday afternoon during a press conference hosted by Charles Hamelin, Gagnon revealed one of his objectives for this pre-Olympic campaign where the Cup of the world is relegated to the dustbin of history in favor of a new formula which will lead, among other things, to the crowning of the best country with a crystal globe.
“Me, this team crystal globe, it excites me like crazy! » expressed the man who succeeded Sébastien Cros, now his deputy, before the start of the summer. “Gang, we’re going to war together, each in our own way, each at our own pace, but I have confidence in you. »
With world champions, Olympic medalists, seasoned veterans and promising recruits, Gagnon believes he has the assets to achieve his objectives, even if the new competition format (three individual distances instead of four, no maximum of two events per skater) will bring its “share of challenges” to coaches, shared between a desire for short-term performance and development.
Crowned Canadian champion for the second time last month, William Dandjinou is one of the headliners of the “Ice Maples”, the new name for the Canadians according to the official register of the International Skating Union, which wanted to put a little of color in his World Circuit.
Gold medalist in the 1000m at the last World Championships in Rotterdam, Dandjinou obtained the privilege of competing in the three individual events by virtue of his national crown. In all likelihood, Gagnon will use his services in the 500m, 1000m and 1500m in Montreal.
“Right now, I’m looking at [l’idée d’en] do three, but I’m not against doing two either, especially since we’re lucky to have a lot of good skaters in Canada,” expressed the 23-year-old Montrealer, curious to know the strategy of his foreign rivals .
“If I give up my place in the 500m, for example, I don’t feel that [la distance] is in the wrong hands, and that we will not have good results for the general crystal globe. »
Jordan Pierre-Gilles, Steven Dubois and Félix Roussel, all returning in addition to rookie Philippe Daudelin, actually finished in that order in the 500m rankings last season, which is probably unheard of according to Gagnon, Olympic gold medalist over the distance in 2002.
Nevertheless, Dandjinou, third overall behind Dubois, dreams of conquering the individual crystal globe, which necessarily involves increasing the number of events since the 15 best results (out of a possible 18) will be used to determine the winner.
“It’s like asking a hockey player if winning the Stanley Cup is a goal,” Dandjinou compared. So, yes, it’s an objective, but it must also respect the objectives for next season and my development. »
Dandjinou insisted on his desire to prepare adequately for the Milan Olympic Games in 2026, having found it difficult to accept his exclusion at the last minute from those in Beijing in 2022.
The contribution of women
If the men’s team seems well on track to contribute to the collective collection of points based on their results last winter, the women will have to raise their level for Canada to win the globe.
Florence Brunelle, sidelined by a herniated disc last season, feels ready to push on after winning a first senior Canadian title in September.
PHOTO DOMINICK GRAVEL, THE PRESS
Florence Brunelle
“My goals are clear, it is to perform on the international stage,” said the multiple medalist at the World Junior Championships, who also participated in the Beijing Olympics as the youngest member in the history of the sport for the Canada.
“The guys are easily the best team in the world. Girls, we’re close, but we’re still working on this. It is obvious that our contribution will be very important. It’s an individual and team mission to make this possible.
“But it’s clear that it’s our goal,” continued the 20-year-old, who is also expected to skate three times in Montreal. “We want the title of the strongest nation in speed skating. Our role will all be important, each point will be important too, and I will do everything to collect as many as possible. »
Kim Boutin, world champion in the 500m, will obviously be a key factor in this conquest, especially since the quadruple Olympic medalist is back full time after missing the first four World Cups a year ago to devote herself to his studies in special education.
PHOTO DOMINICK GRAVEL, THE PRESS
Kim Boutin
We’re not that far, we were third, I think, last year, established the 29-year-old athlete. We still see ourselves as a developing team. We are still young, it is about finding our best momentum, improving all our qualities and our strengths and seeing how we can manage together.
Kim Boutin
Danaé Blais, from Châteauguay, Rikki Doak, from Fredericton, and rookie Qi Miao, from Blainville, will complete the women’s team for the stages in Montreal and Salt Lake City (November 1-3). Resting due to a concussion, Courtney Sarault could join the group for the Asian tour of the World Tour in December if she meets certain criteria.