Florence Brunelle wins 1000m silver to cap off historic World Junior career
Brunelle becomes second ever Canadian to medal in all three individual distances at single competition
DRESDEN, GERMANY – Florence Brunelle captured silver in the 1000m at the ISU World Junior Short Track Championships in Dresden on Sunday, bringing an end to one of the country’s most successful junior careers.
Brunelle (Trois-Rivières, Que.) was nestled in fifth place from the start of the race after the Korean trio of Gilli Kim, Songmi Oh and Suah Seo moved in unison to the front of the pack in the opening lap. The Canadian bided her time and made a push for the podium with two laps remaining, passing China’s Wang Ye from the outside, before executing a double inside pass on Seo and Oh in the final straight to secure the silver medal.
Korea’s Gilli Kim (1:32.294) was victorious, earning her second World Championship title of the weekend. Brunelle (1:32.780) crossed the finish line in second, ahead of Korean Songmi Oh (1:32.960).
With Sunday’s silver medal, Brunelle becomes only the second Canadian short track skater, male or female, to reach the podium in all three individual distances at a single World Junior Championships, joining Marie-Ève Drolet, who accomplished the feat in 2000 and 2001.
This weekend’s performance in Dresden further cemented the 19-year-old as one of the country’s most successful junior skaters ever. She finishes her career with eight World Junior Championship medals, including four gold, along with a pair of silver medals from the 2020 Youth Olympic Games. Only Drolet has earned more hardware at the World Junior Championship level, winning 10 medals across four competitions.
The international short track season continues next weekend in Dresden, where the senior national team will compete at the fifth World Cup of the season. Tune into CBC Sports for live action on both Saturday and Sunday.
Quotes
“I was ready to go out and win today, but after the first two laps I found myself at the back of the pack. Given the circumstances of the race, I had to adapt and find a way to make some passes and get back into contention. I am happy with how I was able to overcome that challenge. I am very happy with my weekend and with the way I was able to have fun while skating. I was able to express myself on the ice and I’m proud of that.”Florence Brunelle
“I am happy to end my junior career with a medal in each individual distance. It was during my first international competition that my passion for short track speed skating began. The World Juniors have always been very important competitions for me in which I felt confident and ready to represent Canada with pride. I am very grateful to have lived these experiences so well supported. »Florence Brunelle
Results
Women’s 1000m
- Florence Brunelle: 2nd
- Ann-Sophie Bachand: 9th
- Ayisha Qi Miao: 17th
Men’s 1000m
Results
Women’s 1000m
- Florence Brunelle: 2nd
- Ann-Sophie Bachand: 9th
- Ayisha Qi Miao: 17th
Men’s 1000m
- Victor Roy-Lafrance: 7th
- Samuel Bureau: 16th
- Mathieu Pelletier: 28th
CONTACT
Alain Brouillette
Speed Skating Canada
communications@speedskating.ca
613-601-2630