HERENVEEN, Pays-Bas | The wait was three years, but Laurent Dubreuil and Antoine Gélinas-Beaulieu finally savored their revenge by winning gold in the team sprint with Christopher Fiola.
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Today as the curtain raiser for the World Long Track Speed Skating Championship, played at Thialf, Canada (1 min 19 s 26) beat the Netherlands (1 min 19 s 67) and Norway (1 min 19 s 80) to complete a dream evening after the victory of the women’s team.
“It’s special to get the victory after our disqualification three years ago in Salt Lake City [2020], mentioned Dubreuil who will be back in action tomorrow for the 500m as he will aim for the double after winning here in 2021. We had won, but a questionable decision had deprived us of gold. It was difficult to accept and this victory allows to close the wound. It was the first time we had done the team sprint since Salt Lake City. »
Canada had been penalized for throwing outside the rally zone. Gilmore Junio completed the Canadian line.
Antoine Gélinas-Beaulieu savored the moment. “These are memories that I will remember all my life,” he said. It’s fun to start the worlds this way. Because the team sprint is not an Olympic event, the pressure is less. We just wanted to go fast and have fun. We can start the world championships with our heads held high. »
The victory had a special cachet because the team was all Quebec. “We want to win all the time, but a victory with guys from the same training center adds another layer,” Dubreuil said. I have spent two thirds of my life with Antoine and I have been skating with Christopher for several years. This victory will remain in my memory. With our victory in Poland at the last World Cup and this one, we have shown that we are the best team. »
Successful return
Abandoned in Poland, Fiola resumed his place. He had to avoid having a hot start so that Gélinas-Beaulieu could hold on and not skate the last lap in the red.
“I started faster than in training, but Antoine was able to keep up the pace and he finished strong,” he explained. This is my first career medal at the senior world championship. It sounds good to me that we are world champion. »
Gold for women too
The women’s relay composed of Brooklyn McDougall, Carolina Hiller and Ivanie Blondin managed a time of 1 min 26 s 29 to beat the Americans (1 min 26 s 57) and the Chinese (1 min 27 s 86) and obtain the first medal of championship gold in Canada.
Multiple Olympic and world championship medalist, Blondin was jubilant on the podium. “I’m really excited and it’s like winning my first world championship,” she said. I’ve come a long way in my career and I’m proud to share this moment with two girls who are making their international debut. I’m proud of the girls. It’s coming for me. »
This gold medal was expected since Canada won silver three times at the World Cup. “After my 3000m where I didn’t have great legs, I immediately found my smile when we started preparing for the sprint. I changed my emotions. »
