Based on the look of the first Short Track Speed Skating World Cup weekend of the season, it would have been almost unthinkable to imagine four Canadian skaters, arm in arm, smiling broadly and dragging a gold medal around their neck. But that’s what happened.
Pascal Dion, Steven Dubois, Jordan Pierre-Gilles and William Dandjinou, in order from left to right, presented themselves in the mixed zone reserved for the media with the feeling of duty accomplished, Sunday, at the Maurice-Richard arena in Montreal.
The Canadian quartet had not only won the most prestigious medal in the 5000m relay, but they had also just completed a weekend of up-and-down competition.
“I don’t think we can say that it’s been an up and down weekend, because overall, as a team, we did well,” said Dandjinou, who won bronze in the 1000m. Earlier in the day.
However, the numbers don’t lie. Canada had won just one medal the day before. Then on Sunday he added four. If some veterans obtained disappointing, or irregular, results from the preliminary rounds, the younger skaters, like Dandjinou and Félix Roussel, took over.
Veterans Pascal Dion, Jordan Pierre-Gilles and Steven Dubois nevertheless knew how to shine at the right times. The Canadians have been the best in the relay for two years, according to Pierre-Gilles, and they picked up where they left off last year during the final event of the program on Sunday.
The maple leaf beat Korea and Japan for gold in a constant battle. “That’s what mixes up the other teams, we’re so versatile,” says Dubois.
And if the latter was able to secure Canada’s lead with five laps to go, it was thanks to a masterful push from Dandjinou. “Steven is quite light to push,” says the 22-year-old athlete, looking at Dubois, who almost gives him a foot.
But this relay was decisive for the rest of things, recalls Dandjinou more seriously: “I knew that if Steven was in a good position, at that moment, it was really advantageous for our team. These are guys who are used to being in this position. My goal was to put him in a favorable position. »
By getting back up after a more complicated weekend in the individual events, the team in black and red is sending a clear message, believes Pierre-Gilles: “The message was sent from one end and we put weight on on it today. »
But if the Canadians were so successful, it was undoubtedly because they were blown away by the performance of their teammates a few moments before.
Winners of the silver medal last year in Montreal in the 3000m relay, the Canadian women held on until the very end, this time, to earn gold.
The identity of the winning team had to be made official by the finish photo. But Danaé Blais raised her arms immediately when she crossed the finish line in front of her American rival, sure of having slipped her skate before hers. “I suspected it, but I think I celebrated a little too early. You have to be careful, because sometimes you can get caught on the line. »
His doubts were dissipated when the dynamic in-house advertiser revealed the final results. This medal was the only one won by the women’s side of the Canadian national team in two days of competition. “I also find it beautiful to see how we can put aside our bad races to come together for the relay and give our best. It’s one of our strengths as a team,” added the Quebecer.
Courtney Sarault, for her part, was able to see the positive despite a disappointing performance. The best project of the Canadian short track program could not do better than a fourth place in the 1000m.
This first World Cup proved to fall short of expectations, as she admitted from the outset in her press briefing. “I wouldn’t say it’s my best competition ever. I don’t feel physically fit right now. »
However, she claims to gain a lot of confidence in this type of collective success, because regardless of the manner and context in which it was won, a medal is often the best remedy to combat damaged morale.
“The fact that we are already doing so well at the start of the season gives us a lot of confidence for the future. Once we practice more and do more races, it will only be better. We already have gold: imagine what it will be like! »
The first medal of the day in the Canadian camp was brilliantly acquired during the 500m event by Félix Roussel.
The 22-year-old skater won his second career individual medal by holding strong throughout. Rarely bothered and in perfect control of the situation, the Sherbrookois finished only 20 hundredths of a second behind Olympic champion Shaoang Liu.
“I could hardly do better,” he said, refusing to hide his smile.
Roussel was unable to attack the Chinese at the very end due to a blade problem, but in the circumstances, he will be able to sleep with peace of mind. With a medal in the first stage of the season, he did what he had to do. “In the final, anything can happen. I was in a good position and I just told myself to have fun. This is my mentality. »
With his teammate Dandjinou, “we said it to each other: we’re going to get our medal, and I think it also motivated him to see me perform,” says Roussel.
And moments later, Dandjinou actually won bronze in the 1000m. The Canadian champion over the distance could bite into his first individual medal of his career.
“In front of my family it’s incredible. I would have liked to give them a medal in a slightly brighter color, but I will put that in my luggage,” he stressed.
After a very good race in the semi-final, the Sherbrookois had the legs and the confidence necessary to rouse the crowd and set the table for the relays.
And as the proverbial expression goes, the rest is history.
Canada therefore concludes this weekend with five medals, one less than last year at this same stage in Montreal at the opening of the season, but words from Félix Roussel: “There is not too much pressure, we will get back together next week ! »
