(Laval) After collecting 12 medals in two stages of the Short Track Speed Skating World Cup, Canadian skaters left the comfort of the Maurice-Richard Arena to participate in the Four Continents Championships, contested this weekend at Place Bell.
This will be the first international short track speed skating competition presented in the infrastructures associated with the Laval Rocket. However, Place Bell has already hosted several local and even national short track speed skating competitions.
“What is really good is that we keep a balance because we can stay at home and we still come here often when there are obstacles at the Maurice-Richard arena,” explained the coach of the Canadian team, Sébastien Cros, Wednesday. But it remains a great opportunity to have a competition, to test the ice rink with an event of this scale. »
The athletes were able to train on Wednesday on the secondary ice rink of the complex where the races will take place on Saturday and Sunday. They all insisted that they were comfortable with the environment different from that of the Maurice-Richard arena, which serves as a training center for the national team.
“In Montreal, it’s our home, our locker room, but in Laval, we are used to the ice and it’s an optimal environment for performance,” said Danaé Blais. And it will still be our incredible Quebec crowd. I am sure we will feel the same energy as in the World Cup. »
PHOTO HUGO-SÉBASTIEN AUBERT, LA PRESSE ARCHIVES
“What is really good is that we keep a balance because we can stay at home and we still come here often when there are obstacles at the Maurice-Richard arena,” explained the coach of the Canadian team, Sébastien Cros, Wednesday. But it remains a great opportunity to have a competition, to test the ice rink with an event of this scale. »
Canadian skaters gave Quebec spectators several reasons to celebrate during the last two weekends in Montreal. Despite the absence of Kim Boutin, on break from sport, and the retirement of Charles Hamelin, they demonstrated that the next generation was strong within the team.
During the two stages of the World Cup, Félix Roussel, William Dandjinou, Jordan Pierre-Gilles, Rikki Doak and Blais achieved their career best individual performances.
“That’s kind of the dynamic we’ve been trying to create for the last few years, having a competitive training environment and seeing the skaters push each other,” Cros said. The results we obtained, with Danaé obtaining medals and Rikki too, push everyone to seek better performances. Among the guys too, with Félix winning a medal, Jordan too. It creates a positive dynamic. »
After the best World Cups of their careers, Blais and Dandjinou did not say they feel more pressure this weekend, even if they will be a little more in the spotlight.
PHOTO GRAHAM HUGHES, THE CANADIAN PRESS
“My goal every time I’m on the starting line is to win, whether I’m favorite or not,” he added. I might be one of the favorites now, but that doesn’t change anything. I am always here to win, to do my best,” said William Dandjinou.
“It’s certain that there is more enthusiasm for my performances, but that doesn’t change anything for me,” said Dandjinou. With my preparation this summer, I knew I could achieve results like these.
“My goal every time I’m on the starting line is to win, whether I’m favorite or not,” he added. I might be one of the favorites now, but that doesn’t change anything. I’m always here to win, to do my best. »
The Four Continents Championships bring together athletes from the Americas, Africa, Asia and Oceania. The absence of European skaters does not necessarily mean that the level will be lower, since the majority of the best skaters in the world come from Canada, South Korea and China.
For the competition, Canada made some changes to its roster of five skaters, compared to six during the World Cups.
For the women, Cynthia Mascitto, from Laval, and Karina Montminy, from Péribonka, will team up with Courtney Sarault, from Moncton, Florence Brunelle, from Trois-Rivières, and Blais, from Châteauguay.
On the men’s side, Dandjinou, from Montreal, Pierre-Gilles, from Sherbrooke, and Steven Dubois, from Lachenaie, will be accompanied by Jérôme Courtemanche, from Montreal, and William Sohier, from Quebec.