(Dresden) Florence Brunelle won the silver medal in the 1000m at the world junior short track championships on Sunday, capping one of the most distinguished careers in Canadian history in speed skating as a junior.
The Trifluvienne was fifth after Gilli Kim, Songmi Oh and Suah Seo, South Koreans, joined forces to take the lead on the first lap.
However, the Quebecer went on the attack with two laps to go. She passed China’s Wang Ye on the outside before making a double pass on the inside at the expense of Seo and Oh, down the stretch, to get silver.
“I’m proud of how I did,” said Brunelle, 19. I’m very happy with my weekend and the way I enjoyed racing. I managed to express myself on the ice and I’m proud of it. »
Kim prevailed in 1:32,294, earning her second title of the weekend. Brunelle (1:32,780) finished second, ahead of Oh (1:32,960).
Brunelle became only the second Canadian short track athlete, male or female, to reach the podium in three individual distances at the same junior world championships. Marie-Ève Drolet directed it in 2000 and 2001.
“The Junior Worlds have always been very important to me,” added Brunelle. I felt confident there and I am very grateful to have experienced them so well surrounded. »
Brunelle completed his junior career with eight world championship medals, including four gold.
She also won two silver medals at the Youth Olympic Games in 2020.