He had experienced some disappointments since the start of the short track season, but Jordan Pierre-Gilles was not discouraged. The Quebecer was finally rewarded on Saturday, when he won the first individual medal of his career in the World Cup, that of bronze in the 1000 m disputed in Almaty, in Kazakhstan.
“I said at the start of the season that I wanted my first individual medals and it’s done. It’s a good check on the list. It confirms to me that I have my place among the tops and I think it will not be my last, ”commented the 24-year-old athlete in a telephone interview with Sportcom.
Pierre-Gilles was also accompanied by a familiar face at the other end of the podium. His team-mate Pascal Dion received his silver medal there after fighting a merciless battle against Dutchman Jens van’t Wout, winner of the event. This is Dion’s second individual medal this year, having won gold in the 1000m in Montreal.
“It’s always nice to be in the final with a teammate. We can work together and manage to be in a good position, ”analyzed the Sherbrooke resident.
It was a race with six skaters at a very high level and I knew there would be a lot of movement. A South Korean skater fell quickly and from there I knew I had a good chance. I was patient and I played my cards well for the podium.
Jordan Pierre-Gilles
This performance thus came to put a balm on a start to the campaign marked by some more painful moments, such as his two individual fourth places obtained at the Montreal World Cup.
“These were good results, but still disappointing. Everyone knows that fourth is a position where you never want to finish. I’m happy to finally have my first podium, ”said the man who also wanted to recover after a difficult start to the day in the mixed relay, where he teamed up with Wiliam Dandjinou, Rikki Doak and Courtney Sarault.
“It was a big day anyway and it didn’t start the way I wanted. I made a block in the semi-final of the mixed relay and we were eliminated directly. I was a little disappointed, but I had to focus on what’s next. I was able to end the day well! concluded Pierre-Gilles.
Also in action on Saturday in the 1000m, Maxime Laoun (9e) was penalized in the semi-finals. For their part, William Dandjinou, Steven Dubois and Félix Roussel were in the 1500m. They respectively ranked 11e17e and 23e.
The men’s relay, made up of Pierre-Gilles, Dion, Dubois and Laoun, also obtained its pass for the final scheduled for Sunday thanks to a second place at the end of the day.
Learning continues for Danaé Blais
PHOTO GRAHAM HUGHES, THE CANADIAN PRESS ARCHIVES
Danae Blais
On the women’s side, New Brunswick’s Courtney Sarault led the charge for the maple leaf by winning the gold medal in the 1000m. Kim Boutin (9e) was penalized in the B final.
The outcome was more favorable for Danaé Blais, who reached the final in the 1500m. She then completed the race in fifth place overall and, above all, with renewed confidence over the distance.
“I’m happy because right now my mental focus was mostly on the 500 (meters). I had lost a bit of confidence in the 1,500 metres, even though it’s my favorite event,” admitted the one who had achieved the best results of her career by finishing fourth in Montreal and Salt Lake City, in the 500 m.
If she concedes that the podiums will probably still have to wait in the 1500m, she said she was happy to be able to gain experience in such high-level races. “I was a little nervous. These are big races, but I played in the pack and it went well. I made the right moves at the right times,” she said.
I am not yet at the level to win races, but we are working on that. It’s not tactical, but rather physical. I am getting closer and there is consistency.
Danae Blais
Note that the Chateauguay skater also helped the women’s relay win its start in the semifinals. The Canadian quartet will be in the ultimate race in less than 24 hours.
The only other Quebecer in the running in Almaty, Claudia Gagnon is 21e ranking step in the 1500 m.
In addition to the relay finals, a second 1500m and a 500m event will be presented on Sunday.