Kim Boutin did it again. The Sherbrooke resident went for a bronze medal in the 500m event in Beijing, after her three podiums in PyeongChang in 2018.
Posted at 6:47 a.m.
Updated at 8:14 a.m.
The Italian Arianna Fontana, first in the world, led throughout the race, followed by the Dutch Suzanne Shulting. There was no overtaking after the start.
Third, Boutin had to be wary of the Chinese Zhang Yuting, just behind. But she held on, and won a fourth Olympic medal.
The grand final of the 500m was congested: five skaters took the start. Boutin, second in the world rankings, started from the middle lane. She was at fault on a false start. Then the race was called back after a fall of the Italian Arianna Fontana, first in the world, at the start of the first lap.
The third gunshot was the right one.
It’s a 10and Olympic medal for Fontana, and a second gold medal. His first had been acquired during the same event, in PyeongChang.
Canada’s Alyson Charles concluded her first Olympic Games with a third-place finish in the B final.
A chaotic 500m
This day at the Beijing Omnisports Palace got off to a flying start. Falls and penalties have been a feature of virtually every 500m race. The adventures began in the first quarter-final, after which Kim Boutin and Alyson Charles were able to advance to the semi-finals.
There were three Canadians in this first race of the competition: Florence Brunelle was also there.
The skater from Trois-Rivières was however penalized for having caused a fall, that of her compatriot Alyson Charles who at the same time took away the Chinese Fan Kexin.
Kim Boutin won the wave. We decided to advance Alyson Charles to the semi-finals, since his fall was accidental. The eventual bronze medalist led this penultimate race until the final laps, before being passed by Arianna Fontana.