Speed Skating Canada – Berlin, Germany, January 29, 2017 – Laurent Dubreuil came up with his best career result in a 1000m race at the international senior level, Sunday, as he skated to a seventh-place finish in the second event held over the weekend in that distance at the ISU World Cup Long Track Speed Skating stage in Berlin, Germany. The skater from Lévis, Qc, also finished sixth in the 500m.

 

Dubreuil skated the 1000m race in 1:09.86 to finish one spot behind Vincent De Haître of Cumberland, ON, who was sixth in 1:09.74.

 

The event was won by Kai Verbij (1:09.08) of the Netherlands. Norway’s Håvard Holmefjord Lorentzen (1:09.23) collected silver while Germany’s Nico Ihle (1:09.31) earned bronze.

 

This seventh-place finish is Laurent Dubreuil’s best result in the 1000m distance at the international senior level. His highest ranking before Sunday was the 11th-place finish he registered at the 2015 World Sprint Championships.

 

“The 1000m race went really well,” said Laurent Dubreuil. “I spent less energy than I did on Saturday over the first 600m, while still going faster. It’s by far my best results ever in a 1000m and that puts me in a very good spot for the World Single Distances Championships coming up in two weeks, and also for the World Sprint Championships that will take place in one month in Calgary.”

 

Earlier on Sunday, in the second 500m event slated for the weekend, Dubreuil finished sixth. He skated to a time of 35.10 seconds, only 12 hundredths of a second away from a podium finish. The medals were won by Russia’s Ruslan Murashov (34.81), as well as by Ronald Mulder (34.87) and Kai Verbij (34.98) of the Netherlands, in that order.

 

“I did better in the 500m this time, with a solid sixth-place finish,” pointed out Laurent Dubreuil, who was 15th in Friday’s 500m race. “My start was much better than Friday’s and I was able to make much more effective turns. I had some trouble in the second turn, but I’m happy that I was able to bounce back. I want to thank coach Bart Schouten, who helped me a lot to work on my turns technically. That’s what made the difference today.”

 

Vincent De Haître was also satisfied with his sixth-place result in the 1000m.

 

“I’m happy, it’s at par with my other performances in the 1000m,” he said. “I’ve therefore reached my goal of being more consistent in competitions. I see this World Cup as a final preparation for the World Single Distances Championships set to take place in South Korea.”

 

In the women’s 3000m, Ivanie Blondin of Ottawa finished in 11th place with a time of 4:08.09.

 

Ireen Wüst (4:01.77) of the Netherlands won the race, followed by Martina Sáblíková (4:02.38) of the Czech Republic and Anna Yurakova (4:04.64) of Russia.

 

Blondin, Dubreuil, De Haître, Bloemen and the rest of the Canadian team will now finalize their preparation for the 2017 ISU World Single Distances Long Track Championships, set to take place February 9-12 on the official ice of the 2018 Olympic Games to be held in Gangneung, South Korea. These World Championships will serve as a test event, one year away from the start of the Olympic speed skating events.

 

TODAY’S CANADIAN RESULTS

500m (2) – M

6. Laurent Dubreuil (35.10)

 

1000m (2) – M

6. Vincent De Haître (1:09.74)

7. Laurent Dubreuil (1:09.86)

 

3000m – W

11. Ivanie Blondin (4:08.09)

 

More details are available on Speed Skating Canada’s website at  www.speedskating.ca.

 

About Speed Skating Canada

Speed Skating Canada (SSC) is the governing body for competitive long track and short track speed skating in Canada. Founded in 1887, the association is comprised of 13 provincial and territorial branches representing more than 14,000 individual members, and counting. SSC believes that sport is an apprenticeship for life and prizes respect for others, integrity, excellence of effort, as well as a safe, healthy environment. 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.

 

SSC is proud to be affiliated with partners that share the same vision and values including our premium sponsors Intact Insurance, as well as our funding partners, the Government of Canada, Own the Podium, and WinSport Canada.
 

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