CALGARY | The recent move to Quebec by Valérie Maltais and Jordan Belchos exceeded the couple’s expectations, which notably allowed the Ontario skater to extend his career.
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After four years in Calgary, Maltais wanted to come home and train at the brand new Ice Centre. The initial plan, however, was for the couple to live in Montreal and for Maltais to travel to the Old Capital for training.
“We never thought of living in Quebec,” says Maltais. The real estate market in Montreal was completely crazy and everything was selling for $100,000 to $150,000 more than the property value. I’m glad we didn’t buy. »
“Because Montreal is a bilingual environment, because I was going to be able to continue my studies in English and because I was closer to my family in Toronto, we wanted to move to Montreal, to add Belchos, who finished 5th in the 10,000 m and of the Beijing Olympics Team Pursuit. Quebec has always been a place that I liked and we started looking at the options. »
A golden opportunity
A completely unexpected opportunity presented itself to Maltais during a visit to his family in La Baie this summer.
“The MNA for Dubuc François Tremblay, who has become a friend over the years, informed me that his wife was selling her condominium in Old Quebec. We fell in love and did no further visits. »
Although he had some fears at the start, Belchos is satisfied in all respects.
“For 16 years, my whole life has revolved around skating,” he says. By living far from the arena, we have a life outside of skating and we can prepare for our retirement. Old Quebec is perfect for an architecture and urban planning student like me. It’s a special place. »
“If we had chosen Montreal as planned, my career would be over,” added the 32-year-old skater in excellent French. It’s more difficult to study in French at Laval than in English at Concordia, but I love Quebec. I had some apprehensions about living in Quebec, but there are more positives than challenges. I don’t have the words to express how happy I am. »
New impetus to their career
The fiancés are also thrilled by the sporting experience. Maltais is experiencing a first with head coach Gregor Jelonek.
“I had good coaches in my career, but this is the first time that a coach asks me how I feel and what I need, confides the gold medalist to the team pursuit at the Beijing Games. In the past, there was always a recipe that I had to follow. Gregor puts the human before the skater a lot. It’s a refreshing approach. It’s the best decision I’ve made for my career. »
Belchos agrees. “In a post-Olympic year, I wouldn’t have been able to continue if the coaches had taken too rigid an approach,” he said. We’ve been on the same page since day 1. Gregor knows how to push the right buttons. After eight years with the same coach, it’s refreshing to experience a fresh start. »
Will the two lovebirds continue their career until the Olympic Games in Milan-Cortina d’Ampezzo in 2026?
“It is certain that I will continue next year, confirms Maltais. I have plans for a family and to finish my studies, but I will continue as long as I have fun and the performances are there without me struggling. »
Back to Calgary
Just two weeks away, Maltais and Belchos are back in Calgary for both World Cup stops. Nostalgia is not there even if they are happy to reconnect with good friends.
“For skating, I lived in Calgary for 16 years,” says Belchos, whose parents moved to Alberta for a period of ten years. I can’t wait to see people I haven’t seen in a long time, but I haven’t given too much thought to my return. »