With 14 medals in two stages of the World Short Track Speed Skating Tour, Canada finds itself with a target on its back for the rest of the season.
Quebecer William Dandjinou added another victory to his dream season on Sunday, contributing to Canada's haul of four medals during the day. He won the 1000 meters, while his compatriot Jordan Pierre-Gilles finished third.
The mixed and men's relays won gold, completing the hat-trick for the collective events this weekend.
The maple leaf therefore won eight medals during this second round of the circuit, previously called the World Cup, and 14 in total since the start of the season. He has 3106 points in the provisional ranking of the new team crystal globe, far ahead of South Korea, with 2578.
“It's another dream weekend, but it's a nightmare for the other teams,” exclaimed Pierre-Gilles. We are extremely happy, extremely proud, but we have to get back to work because we will have a target on our backs for the rest of the season. »
Of these 14 medals, five were the work of Dandjinou during the six men's individual events. On Sunday, he put on a charm over the only distance for which he did not get on the podium last week at the Maurice-Richard arena.
It was also his first victory in the 1000m on the circuit even though he is the reigning world champion in this event. Last week, he was heading to the final when he lost his balance in the semi-final.
“We can always do better, both on an individual and collective level. For me, it was a little balm on my 1000m last week,” Dandjinou humbly declared, refusing to have the spotlight focused on him.
Dandjinou is currently at the top of the provisional ranking of the individual crystal globe with 500 points, compared to 328 for the Italian Pietro Sighel, in second position.
For Pierre-Gilles, this is a first individual medal this season and a second bronze in the 1000m in this competition.
“I expected it less because I specialize more in the 500m, but I worked extremely hard this summer for the 1000m, so it feels good,” said Pierre-Gilles. It's gratifying to see that the work pays off. It's very satisfying. »
During the very last race of the day, Dandjinou, Pierre-Gilles, Félix Roussel and Steven Dubois joined forces to win the men's relay for a second consecutive week.
After setting the tone last week by placing in front, the Canadians this time found themselves in the peloton during a race which was the scene of numerous position changes. A perfectly executed strategy finally paid off.
“We used a very different strategy from last week,” explained Pierre-Gilles. It moved a lot, we fell behind, and we came back to be first when we wanted to be. When we gather at the front, it usually doesn't end any worse. »
“The relay almost seemed like a three-on-one,” added Dubois. It seemed that [les autres équipes] had analyzed our races in the semi-final and quarter-final. »
At the start of the afternoon, the Canadian mixed relay ended a long drought without a victory that had lasted since the 2018-2019 season by beating the Dutch and the Japanese.
Head coach Marc Gagnon revealed that his team let Roussel, Dubois, Kim Boutin and Florence Brunelle choose their own strategy. A decision that turned out to be beneficial.
Last week, the Canadian team won bronze despite a fall in the final. This is a third consecutive victory for Canada, which has historically had little success in this relay.
“It was one of our objectives to focus our efforts on this event,” revealed Boutin. We didn't understand why it wasn't working. And there, the more we do, the more we understand each other. Before, we perhaps didn't take this distance seriously. »
Boutin also competed in the 1500m final and finished fifth. Well placed in the leading group for the majority of the race, she seemed to lack energy during the final laps.
The four-time Olympic medalist has not medaled in the 1500m on the circuit since the 2019-2020 season. She now plans to give up her place in this distance, contested just before the 500m according to the new format of the competition.
“I really lacked explosiveness,” she regretted.
Danaé Blais placed third in the consolation final. Also qualified for this one, Brunelle was not on the starting line. Preferring to save her energy for the 500m, she was however unable to make it through the quarterfinals.
Boutin and Rikki Doak competed in the 500m B final and placed second and fourth, respectively. The Canadians are still looking for their first individual medal this season.
“Individually, we all have little things to work on to get to the top of our game,” said Boutin. There were some very good races, we were perhaps missing a few laps, but it's something that we will gain with experience. It's a question of time. »
Skaters from around the world will now be able to rest a little before resuming training, in preparation for the next stop on the World Tour in Beijing, China, from December 6 to 8.
