Speed Skating Canada – Calgary, December 1, 2017 – Vincent De Haître, Laurent Dubreuil and Gilmore Junio set a new world record time in the men’s team sprint on their way to a gold medal, while Ted-Jan Bloemen earned silver in the men’s 5000m, Friday, on the first day of the ISU World Cup Long Track Speed Skating stage to be held until Sunday at Calgary’s Olympic Oval.

After coming up with a world record time two weeks ago in Stavanger, Norway, the Canadian team lowered it again, this time by more than two seconds, from 1:19.52 to 1:17.31. Russia collected silver in 1:18.25, followed by the Netherlands (1:18.53).

Canada therefore won every one of the three races held so far this season in this event which became official in ISU competitions in June of 2016.

“It was a great race. Everyone did their job,” said Gilmore Junio of Calgary. “Getting the world record here on home soil, in front of our friends and family, makes the race extra special. We take a lot of pride in how well we do in this race, and today’s performance just sets us up so well for the weekend.”

“A world record is not something that happens every day,” said Laurent Dubreuil from Lévis, QC. “Yes, this is a relatively new event, but I think this is a time that will stick for several years. And to set it at home is a great thrill. Three wins in three races, with teams comprised of different skaters – we couldn’t be stronger as a team!”

“The more we race, the more we develop team strategies,” said Vincent De Haître of Cumberland, ON. “Today, not only did we beat the world record, but we also beat the non-official record clocked by Canada two years ago in Salt Lake City (1:17.75). We know we have the best team, but we also know that we are better than before. This is a great way to start off the weekend. It motivates me and gives me confidence.”

Bloemen wins 2nd silver medal in 5000m

Ted-Jan Bloemen of Calgary came up with his second silver medal of the season in the men’s 5000m.

Skating once again in the same pair as Dutch skater Sven Kramer, Bloemen finished second with a time of 6:08.54. Kramer skated to victory in 6:07.04 while Germany’s Patrick Beckert collected bronze (6:10.80).

“It’s pretty frustrating to come in second again,” said Bloemen. “This time, I was a little bit closer and I’m getting closer every race.”

“Next time, I’ll be within a second or ahead of him,” he added with a smile.

“I’ve had a bit of a tough time over the last two weeks. I was a little sick and I lost my feel for the ice somewhat. I wasn’t too confident going into this race, so it was really important for me to execute well and to get my feel back. I did that really well over my first four laps. I got so much confidence out of that, that I wanted to attack in lap 5. It went pretty well for a little bit, but obviously he came back and I couldn’t hold on for the last two laps, unfortunately.”

In the women’s 3000m, Isabelle Weidemann and Ivanie Blondin, both from Ottawa, respectively finished ninth and 10th with times of 4:02.92 and 4:04.15.

 

Denny Morrison improves on 11-year-old personal best

In the men’s 5000m group B race, Denny Morrison of Fort St. John, B.C., improved on a personal best that dated back to January 2006 by over four seconds, bringing it down from 6:24.13 to 6:19.91.

“I’ve been feeling good since my last race in Stavanger, where I finally felt like I learned to skate well again and I was hitting my stride,” said Denny Morrison, who finished 17th in Friday’s B group race. “I’ve also felt good over the past two weeks, but you don’t really know it for sure until you race. Today’s time is confirmation that I’m skating the right way and that I’m doing the right things. I feel like I’m back into the technical stride that I like to be in when I’m skating at my best. I can take this self-assuredness into my next two races this weekend.”

Ben Donnelly from Oshawa, ON, also skated to a new personal best in the 5000m, registering a time of 6:16.63 to shave off more than five seconds from his old mark of 6:21.71.

Also in B group racing, Brianne Tutt of Airdrie, AB, was third in the women’s 3000m, improving on her personal best by six seconds to a time of 4:02.42. In the same distance, Josie Morrison from Kamloops, B.C., also set a new personal best of 4:03.79, an improvement of over three seconds.

Racing will continue on Saturday with the 1000m and team pursuit events, as well as the mass start semifinals.

Tickets are available through the www.oval.ucalgary.ca/worldcup website at a price of $15 for adults (age 18 and over), $5 for kids and teenagers (ages 6-17) and $30 for a family of four. A three-day pass is also available at a price of $15 (ages 6-17) or $30 (adults 18 and older), all prices not including GST and fees online and at the door.

The ISU World Cup will be broadcast on CBC on Saturday, December 2, from 4 pm to 5 pm (Eastern Time), and webcast live from Friday to Sunday on the CBC Sports (http://www.cbc.ca/sports) and Radio-Canada Sports (http://ici.radio-canada.ca/) websites.

Calgary’s Olympic Oval, host organizing committee of the 2017 ISU World Cup Speed Skating in Calgary, would like to thank its following sponsors and partners:

Official sponsors of the ISU World Cups Speed Skating: KPN, Liqui Moly, DKB, De Telegraaf

Government and sport partners: Government of Canada, Government of Alberta, Alberta Sport Connection, City of Calgary, Calgary Sport Tourism Authority, University of Calgary’s Kinesiology Faculty

Sponsors of the event: Best Western Plus Village Park Inn, Hotel Alma, Li-Ning, Intact Insurance, National Motor Coach, Big Chief Meat Snacks, Fuel For Gold, KIA, Ricoh, Vendini, Wild Rose Brewery, Aloft Calgary University, Centro Motel, Four Points by Sheraton

 

About Speed Skating Canada

Speed Skating Canada (SSC) is the governing body for long track and short track speed skating in Canada. Founded in 1887, SSC is comprised of 13 provincial and territorial associations. Speed Skating Canada is committed to Challenge and Inspire Canada to Thrive through the power of Speed Skating. SSC recognizes and values its outstanding volunteers who give freely of their time and expertise. It also celebrates the 63 Olympic medals won by Canadian athletes since 1932, as well as the coaches, officials and other dedicated individuals who helped them on their journey. www.speedskating.ca

 

Speed Skating Canada would like to thank its sponsors:

Premium partner: Intact Insurance

Funding partners: Government of Canada (Sport Canada), Own The Podium, Canadian Olympic Committee

Official On-Ice High Performance Apparel: Li-Ning

Long Track Team Sponsor: KIA

Official Suppliers: Auclair, USANA

Official Technical Equipment Supplier: Nagano Skate

Sport Development Partners: Winsport Canada, Calgary’s Olympic Oval, University of Calgary, Institut national du sport du Québec, Government of Quebec, Canadian Sport Institute-Calgary, City of Montreal, Quebec City, Excellence sportive Québec-Lévis

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For information:

Kerry Dankers
Long Track Program and Communications Coordinator
Speed Skating Canada
Email: kdankers@speedskating.ca
Phone: 403-589-8960
Website: www.speedskating.ca 
Facebook: www.facebook.com/SSC.PVC
Twitter: www.twitter.com/SSC_PVC 

Patrick Godbout
Communications & Media Relations Manager
Speed Skating Canada
Email: pgodbout@speedskating.ca
Phone: 514 213-9897
Website: www.speedskating.ca 
Facebook: www.facebook.com/SSC.PVC
Twitter: www.twitter.com/SSC_PVC