Danaé Blais after her race. (Photo: Courtesy – International Skating Union via Getty Images)
Skater Danaé Blais won the first race of her career on the international circuit, winning gold in the 1000m at the World Short Track Skating Tour in Beijing on December 7. The Châteauguoise didn’t stop there as she also helped the women’s relay team reach the 1st step of the podium.
During the race, the 25-year-old skated at the front from the start and subsequently resisted the comeback of Dutchwoman Xandra Velzeboer on the last lap. American Corinne Stoddard and Korean Choi Min Jeong finished tied for 3rd place.
“This gold medal is truly incredible,” she told Skate Canada. The level is extremely high this year even though I didn’t necessarily have the feeling that it was going to happen right away. It’s really cool to realize that I have what it takes to be the best, and I’m excited for the rest of the weekend and the season.”
The Dutch Xandra Velzeboer, Danaé Blais, the American Corinne Stoddard and the Korean Choi Min Jeong completed the 1,000m podium. (Photo: Courtesy – International Skating Union via Getty Images)
This is the third career medal for Danaé Blais in an individual event. The one who was named female short track athlete of the year in Canada won silver in the 1000m and bronze in the 1500m last season in Montreal.
After her first victory, the skater joined her teammates to take part in the women’s 3,000m relay to win the team’s second consecutive gold medal this season.
According to Skate Canada, the Canadian women finished the race, while South Korea and Kazakhstan completed the podium. The Chinese and Polish women were disqualified after false starts.
Danaé Blais at the head of the peloton during the 1,000m. (Photo: Courtesy – International Skating Union via Getty Images)
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