(Calgary) Robert Dubreuil took a risk by postponing his flight to Calgary for a day. A one hour delay for the aircraft to defrost in Montreal could have made him miss his son’s magical race on Friday.
But the general manager of the Federation of speed skating of Quebec was “zen” in flight. After landing, he allowed himself to send a rare message to Laurent before a race.
“I don’t want to disturb him. I just wanted him to know I was there. I wrote to him: “I will be in the stands. Go all out and above all, take advantage of these moments that make you trippy. It’s passion, it’s just that. You have to like it. ” Laurent likes to skate, but he likes to compete. ”
Accompanied by his friend and former teammate Benoît Lamarche, Robert Dubreuil, a fervent like his son, lived this memorable 500 meters to the full.
An hour later, he had to control his emotions by going to meet Laurent for a little five minutes at a distance, in a staircase of the Olympic oval.
Surprised by the good weather, Robert Dubreuil was not particularly nervous during the event.
I enter the race. Sometimes it’s like I’m skating with him. But when I saw 9.46 [après 100 mètres], it just made me lose my focus! I shouted to Benoît: “It’s his best ever!”
Robert Dubreuil, father of Laurent Dubreuil
Perfectly positioned to follow the last turn, he hoped he would hold the line despite the centrifugal force generated. The small imbalance at the exit did not raise an eyebrow.
“People say it was not a perfect race, that they lost their balance. But it is sure that he will lose his balance, the speed is super high! ”
Robert Dubreuil, who has competed in two Olympics in speed skating, especially admired his son’s composure after seeing three of his rivals clocking 33 seconds.
“It doesn’t break down. It impresses me that he was able to stay fluid and relaxed, enough to be able to deliver. The guy doesn’t let himself be intimidated. He arrives confident on the line, he delivers. He likes the pressure.
” For Laurent to climb into the best of his sport in an Olympic year, it’s been a shock. We are so happy for him. He has crossed some, deserts, Laurent. ”
Jelonek: “Many would have crashed”
PHOTO ERICK LABBÉ, ARCHIVES THE SUN
Alex Boisvert-Lacroix, Laurent Dubreuil and coach Gregor Jelonek
Coach Gregor Jelonek followed the race in the weight room of the Ice Center in Quebec City, along with his skater Béatrice Lamarche, daughter of Benoît.
I’m happy, it’s a really good race. There were already several 33 on the board. It’s pressure. On the other hand, Laurent, he knows how to motivate himself in relation to that. It’s still impressive. Many would have crashed. On the contrary, he said to himself: “I am capable, too.”
Gregor Jelonek, trainer of Laurent Dubreuil
A time of 33.77 seconds is a “major” achievement, noted the coach. “In terms of his confidence, it will also do him good to return to the first step of the podium. ”
Jelonek did not regret missing this moment due to a positive COVID-19 result a few weeks ago in Norway. He was especially happy that the physical trainer Jonathan Pelletier Ouellet, who saw his first World Cup, was able to attend the event on site. “We are a team, it is also important in Laurent’s success. ”
the coach believes that the achievements of his protégé will motivate the next generation. “It’s especially very encouraging for the younger ones. The other Quebecers say to themselves: “He’s a guy from our region.” We are always impressed by Russians, Americans, Japanese, Chinese. There, it is a Canadian, a Quebecer moreover. It’s very inspiring for our youth. ”