CALGARY | Morale in his heels after obtaining confirmation that he no longer had any chance of qualifying for the world championship in his favorite event, Antoine Gélinas-Beaulieu bounced back brilliantly in the Four Continents Championship and in the two Calgary World Cups.
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In good shape to claim victory in the mass start of the selections from October 13 to 16 at the Center de glaces, Gélinas-Beaulieu suffered a mechanical failure in the last corner and finished the race in last place.
It was the only opportunity for the Canadians to qualify for the mass start for the Worlds unlike the other events.
In Calgary during the first of two World Cup stops, however, Gélinas-Beaulieu won the first individual medal of her career by winning bronze in the 1,000 m.
How did he succeed after having experienced such a deep disappointment?
“It gnaws at me not to be there, he admitted, and I have a bittersweet feeling when I see the other Canadians skating the mass start. However, I have to find other small victories to stay motivated. »
Objective unchanged
Gélinas-Beaulieu assures that his objective has not changed despite his bad luck.
“I am not changing course, he illustrated. My focus remains the mass start, but I have to be patient until next year. It is my favorite event and in which I have the best chance of medaling at the Olympic Games. »
For the moment, Gélinas-Beaulieu consoles herself with the 1000m, 1500m and the team pursuit where Canada won bronze in Calgary.
“These are three good distances and we have potential in pursuit as we saw in Calgary. At the world, you never know what can happen. We have medal potential. »
“After the Beijing Games where my results were not to my liking with several events on the program, my objective was to fight for a medal. I’m having a very good post-Olympic year. »
Asthma attacks
While he had some great moments in Calgary with his three medals (he also won bronze in the team sprint) and the presence of his wife for the second stage, Gélinas was also bothered by severe asthma attacks .
“Because of the altitude and the dry air in Calgary, I don’t think I’ll be in another serious situation again,” he said, “but the medical team got my asthma under control. I use a humidifier in my room and a nebulizer. The water vapors make it possible to dilute the mucus and avoid strong painful coughs. »
Gregor Jelonek is very happy with his colt’s first half of the season.
“I couldn’t ask for more,” said the veteran coach. He is seventh overall in the 1000m standings. He is prequalified in the 1000m and 1500m for the last two stages of the World Cup in Poland. »