HEERENVEEN | It’s rare for a three-time Olympic medalist to change a winning recipe after experiencing the frenzy of the Games, but that’s exactly what Isabelle Weidemann did on her return from Beijing.
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In an effort to push her limits, Weidemann changed her training with the risks that such a decision entailed.
“I achieved great goals in Beijing, but I don’t just skate for the podiums,” explained the gold medalist in the team pursuit, silver medalist in the 5000m and bronze medalist in the 3000m. I want to go faster and push the limits of the sport. I’ve always loved challenges and I’m not motivated by the idea of always repeating the same thing. I like to explore. »
This exploration has been marked by ups and downs.
“It was a weird season,” she said. Given my results in Beijing, expectations were high, but the results fell short. With a very different approach, I experimented and learned a lot. »
“I needed to make a lot of changes and I took risks,” continues the skater from Ottawa in very good French. I’m a bit disappointed because it didn’t work out as well as hoped, but that’s part of the risk I wanted to take. I am excited by the unknown. »
Skating under Remmelt Eldering for five years, Weidemann got the nod from his coach.
“We are business partners, she imagined. We try to find what is best for me. Remmelt is not a dictator and does not try to impose his views. I have to be involved. It is thus easier to understand and invest myself. »
Modest expectations
Ailing during the two World Cup stops in Calgary in December, Weidemann is feeling better, but she is realistic in her expectations. In the 3,000m, she finished second overall.
“I don’t have wild expectations,” the Canadian flag bearer said at closing ceremonies in the Chinese capital of her 3,000m and 5,000m goals. Even if I had difficulties in Poland, I am stronger than in December when I was really sick. »
Great comeback
Unlike Weidemann who shone brightly in Beijing, Ted-Jan Bloemen struggled after winning gold in the 10,000m and silver in the 5,000m in Pyeongchang in 2018.
The Dutch-born skater skipped the first two stages of the World Cup in Europe to be present when his wife gave birth to the couple’s second child.
He took over the collar in Calgary with results at the antipodes.
He was disqualified after two false starts in the 5,000m before missing the world record held by Swede Nils van der Poel in the 10,000m by three seconds the following weekend.
His time of 12:33.75 is an Olympic Oval track record and a personal mark.
“It was a very weird season,” he said. I want to repeat the same thing here as in Calgary where I missed the world record by three seconds. My speed is good and I want to do well. »
These worlds at Thialf where he trained for all these years before moving to Western Canada fill him up.
“This was my home for several years and it’s a return to normal when I come here. With all the work, it’s nice and comfortable, but it still smells the same. It’s always a privilege to skate here in front of over 10,000 spectators. It’s a very different experience to anywhere else in the world. »
An all-Quebec podium possible in the sprint relay
The departure will be decisive for the Canadian men’s team
File photo provided by speed skating canada, dave holland
Christopher Fiola won bronze in the team sprint with Laurent Dubreuil (right) and Antoine Gélinas-Beaulieu at the World Cup in Calgary on December 16.
With a gold medal in Poland on February 17 at the last World Cup, will the Canadian men’s sprint team be able to get back on the podium at the world championships?
The team of Laurent Dubreuil, Antoine Gélinas-Beaulieu and Christopher Fiola won bronze in Calgary in December.
In Poland, Anders Johnson took the place of Fiola who had had a difficult week in training.
Johnson is not qualified for the world championship and Fiola will regain his place in the team sprint which will take place tomorrow as a curtain raiser.
Happy to be back, Fiola was called to order by his trainer Gregor Jelonek last week because he started too quickly and Gélinas-Beaulieu, who brings up the rear, could not keep pace in the first 200m.
“My job is not complicated, I have to hold back at the start, explained Fiola. It’s not rocket science, I just have to hold myself back instead of putting the rubber on when I start like I do for a 500m. I have to be relaxed so that the guys can attack from the first corner. It would be fun, an all-Quebec team on the podium. I don’t think it’s ever been done at the world. »
Hold back, to better conclude
If Fiola starts too fast, Gélinas-Beaulieu ends up in the red to finish the race.
“I have to be able to hold on and minimize the energy at the start,” he explained. If I end up in the red when I start, I’m dead on the last lap. In Poland, I hung on with no problem and had the best last lap among all the skaters. »
“During the first practice in Heerenveen, Gregor spoke to Chris in the face and everything went well during the second, added Gélinas-Beaulieu. He must be relaxed as if he was skating a 1500 m. When I’m hooked, I’m possibly one of the best at maintaining speed. We have a very good team that has the potential for a medal and even to win gold, but we have to avoid the mistake of leaving too quickly,” he mentioned.
Not a priority, but…
If the priority is obviously on his two individual events, Dubreuil does not intend to play the tourists. “The team sprint doesn’t have a huge importance, but I want to be the best, whatever the event, and I don’t want to finish last,” he said. I want us to do well and aim for victory, but a bronze medal in the 1000 m is more valuable to me than a gold medal in the team sprint. If we can win a medal, it would be a great experience to share that with my teammates. »
The start of the race will therefore be essential for the representatives of the maple leaf.
“You don’t win the race in the first 200m, but you can lose it, summed up the silver medalist in the 1000m at the Beijing Games. The first 200m is critical. We were a little rusty in Calgary, but the three of us are instinctive skaters and we are able to adjust. »
Gift from heaven for Vincent De Haître
Vincent De Haître was treated to a nice surprise shortly after arriving in Heerenveen.
Qualified in the 1000m and the mass start which will both take place on Sunday at the conclusion of the worlds, Connor Howe decided to focus on the second event, which freed up a place for Canada in the 1000m, which was attributed to De Haître. Ivanie Blondin did the same for the women.
“After the last World Cup in Poland, I made the trip to the Netherlands without any guarantee of being able to start in the 1000m,” said the Franco-Ontarian skater. The decision was up to Connor who judged his chances of a medal better in the mass start. »
An opportunity to seize
“In the days leading up to his choice, I thought about telling him not to make his decision based on me and that I had already participated in a world championship and won a medal,” continued De Haître. I also thought about telling him that he had a better chance of a medal in the mass start and the 1500m and not to take any risks running the 1000m, but I didn’t want to give the impression that I was trying to ‘influence. I didn’t speak and left him in his bubble. »
“The final selection for the World Championship for skaters who were not pre-qualified was made in Poland. I was 0.13 behind Connor and knew I wasn’t getting through, but I stayed at the Oval to cheer on the team. It was not unexpected for such a scenario to occur. I’m not the first guy to take advantage of this. It’s a plus to skate at the worlds. »
A versatile athlete
Qualified only for the two stages in Poland, De Haître has had a difficult season, having returned to skating only since the fall of 2021 after taking part in the Tokyo Olympics in track cycling.
If he was considering trying to qualify for the Paris Games at the start of the season, he changed his tune in light of his experience.
“If I had had an exceptional season, I would have continued for the Paris Games, but a year and a half of preparation is too short as I could see when I returned to skating, a- he explained. Some people think I’m taking someone else’s place when I get back to cycling. I deserve my place and it’s not a favor they’re doing me, but it takes a weight off my shoulders nonetheless. »
“I’m going back to skating full time, which is my first passion, and I’m aiming for a medal at the 2026 Games, which wouldn’t have been possible on a bike since we’re a small team,” concluded De Haître.