Excited to find himself in the same pair as Jordan Stolz, who is showing superb form at the start of the season, Laurent Dubreuil was however treated to a nasty surprise in the first corner of the 1000 meter World Cup event. long track speed skating in Heerenveen today.
• Read also: A consolation prize for David Larue
Winner of the 1000m of the first stage of the World Cup last Sunday, thanks to a great time, the 18-year-old American lost his footing, fell and unwittingly damaged Dubreuil who had made an excellent start. and who believed in his chances of climbing on the podium for a second
consecutive week.
“I had the legs to get on the podium,” said Dubreuil. I had a great, great start with an opening time of 16.17 (200m). My plan was perfect. I opened faster than him and wanted to take advantage of his draft after the first lap to create speed on the last lap. He would have been a good target to pick up. »
“At the time of the fall, you know that you lost time, but you do not know how much it harmed you, to pursue Dubreuil who concluded in 10e place with a time of 1 min 08 s 68. It takes an exceptional skater to win a medal in such circumstances and clearly I am not good enough. »
Wise choice
This incident reminded him why he had opted for long track at the age of 15 when he also practiced short track.
“It is to avoid this kind of scenario that I chose the long track instead of the short track, he said. Some like it, but I don’t like this aspect of short track at all where collisions can ruin your race. This is unfortunately what I experienced today. This is the second time this has happened to me in two years. The situation would have been even worse if I had stopped and asked to resume the start alone. My time would have been worse. »
After the race, Stolz and his coach apologized to Dubreuil.
Apologies from Stolz
“I was frustrated with the turn of events, but it was not a voluntary gesture, he explained. I told them it was bad luck. His left blade dropped at the end of the push. The fall of Stolz ruined my race, but it is even more catastrophic for him. He was disqualified for hurting me, getting no points and slipping from first to 12e overall rank. »
As for Dubreuil, he simply lost a place, dropping from second to third tied with Dutchman Joep Wennemars who took silver today.
China’s Zhongyan Ning won gold with a time of 1:07.86 and Estonia’s Marten Liiv completed the podium.
For his part, Antoine Gélinas-Beaulieu took the 15e rank while Connor Howe was the top Canadian with a ninth position.
Valérie Maltais signed the best result of her career in the mass start with a fifth place. Victorious in Norway, the Franco-Ontarian Ivanie Blondin deserved the bronze. At the heart of the action during the final sprint, the team pursuit gold medalist at the last Beijing Olympics was very satisfied with her day’s work.
Best career result
“I’m very happy with my race,” said Maltais. I had been looking for a way to slip into the final sprint for a while. I practiced my patience and this result will give me confidence. It’s mission accomplished. »
Maltais even surprised herself in the final sprint.
“I was wondering what was going on when I managed to pass the American to grab fifth place,” she said. The girls are fast forward and I need to improve my top speed if I want to reach my goal of winning a medal. »
Dubreuil will compete in the 500m this morning. Silver medalist in Norway, he will aim for the top step of the podium. As for Maltais, she will try to climb into Group A in the 1500m.