Speed Skating: Dubreuil is crowned vice-champion in Norway
Dubreuil is crowned vice-champion at the ISU World Sprint Championships on Saturday in Hamar, Norway.
Laurent Dubreuil got off to an impressive start at the inaugural Championships on Friday and his success continued through Saturday, winning second in the overall standings (137.700) behind Japan’s Tatsuya Sinhama (137.465). He is the first Canadian to reach the overall podium at the World Sprint Championships since 2008. He is only the fourth Canadian to reach the men’s overall podium in the event’s 50 year history.
Dubreuil finished second in both the men’s 500m-2 sprint (34.56) and 1000m-2 sprint (1:08.39).
“My two 500m and my 1000m today were exceptional races for me. I was able to manage everything around me to finish second at the World Sprint Championships, my favourite competition and the hardest and more stressful competition of the season, by far. It’s been quite a season so far, with second overall here and my third career world championship medal! I’m excited for next weekend!”
On Friday, Dubreuil finished the 500m-1 sprint in top spot and the 1000m-1 in fifth place.
“I had really good 500-metre race today and I’m happy with my result,” Dubreuil said. “I knew I had the legs as I’ve been feeling good all week long”.
On the women’s side, Kaylin Irvine finished as the top ranked Canadian woman, with a career-best ninth place. Competition at the Sprint/Allround Championships wraps up on Sunday in Norway, with the allround races.
