Ten Canadians will lace up their skates for the final international competition of the season, as they take on the world’s best at the World Short Track Speed Skating Championships, to be held this week in Seoul, Korea from South.
From March 10-12, skaters representing more than 30 countries will battle for medals in the men’s and women’s 500m, 1000m and 1500m events, as well as the 2000m mixed relay, women’s 3000m and the men’s 5000m relay.
For the first time in the history of this competition, no title of champion or world champion in the general classification will be awarded this year.
The ISU World Short Track Championships were due to take place in the South Korean capital in 2020, but were then canceled due to concerns over COVID-19.
The Canadian team that will take part in this weekend’s competition will notably be made up of six Olympians, including last season’s world vice-champions, Kim Boutin and Pascal Dion.
Renée Steenge, Félix Roussel and Rikki Doak will be at their first World Championships, while Claudia Gagnon will be back for the first time since the 2021 edition.
Canada will enter this last competition of the 2022-23 international season on a high note, having completed the World Cup campaign with a collection of 37 medals, including 15 gold, 15 silver and seven bronze. This is the highest total on the international circuit since the 2015-16 season, when the Canadian squad won 44 medals.
On an individual level, Courtney Sarault (2e), Steven Dubois (3e) and Pascal Dion (4e) all finished the season in the top 5 overall. In addition, the men’s and women’s relays finished the season in first place overall with a combined 10 medals, including four gold.