Speed Skating Canada – Helsinki, Finland, February 17, 2017 – Tyson Langelaar celebrated his birthday with a bronze medal, Friday, as he skated to third place in the 1500m on the first day of the ISU World Junior Long Track Speed Skating Championships held until Sunday in Helsinki, Finland.

Langelaar of Winnipeg, MB, who turned 18 on Friday, earned bronze by finishing the race in 1:55.66. The win went to Norway’s Allan Dahl Johansson (1:54.05) while Chris Huizinga (1:55.12) of the Netherlands collected silver.

“That’s a pretty good birthday gift,” said Tyson Langelaar. “I just really wanted to make sure that going into the race, I would leave it all on the track, to try to get my first lap up to speed and to hang on after that. Technically, there were just a few corner entries that I could have done better but overall, I’m pretty happy with my race.”

The reigning Canadian junior champion, David La Rue (1:57.557) of Saint-Lambert, QC, came in eighth in the 1500m, while Graeme Fish (1:59.27) of Moose Jaw, SK, was 13th and Connor Howe (2:01.94) of Calgary, AB, was 36th.

Earlier on Friday, Tyson Langelaar was the top Canadian in the men’s 500m with a 17th-place finish in 38.29 seconds. La Rue (38.40) came in 20th while Howe (39.133) was 37th and Fish (40.82) was 59th.

“It was a really good 500m,” said Langelaar. “My first 100m was one of the best I’ve done outdoors. My lap times were pretty good and I was really happy about my overall time.”

After two events, Tyson Langelaar is second in overall standings. David La Rue is seventh, Howe is 31st and Fish is 40th.

“I feel confident going into Saturday,” said Langelaar. “I think I have a good 1000m in me left and I think the 5000m should be good too.”

Béatrice Lamarche, Canada’s top woman

Béatrice Lamarche of Quebec City, QC, was the top Canadian woman in both events held Friday, as she skated to seventh place in the 1500m (2:11.52) and to 23rd position in the 500m (42.538).

After two events, Lamarche is eighth in overall standings.

“My 500m didn’t really go well,” said Béatrice Lamarche. “I felt good going into the race but I was disappointed with the result. Maybe I felt a bit of pressure. But I’m really happy with my 1500m. I had a good race and I worked hard, despite the fact I was disappointed with my 500m. Having bounced back like that, that’s what I’m most proud of today, and it gives me motivation for tomorrow.”

After the first day of competition, Véronique Déry, the 2017 Canadian women’s junior champion from Lévis, QC, was 18th in overall standings after finishing 25th in the 1500m (2:17.09) and 28th in the 500m, tied with her teammate Carolina Gingras of Quebec City, QC, with identical times of 43.024. Gingras, who skated to 35th place in the 1500m with a time of 2:21.42, was 26th overall. Brooklyn McDougall of Calgary, AB, was 30th overall after finishing 35th (43.21) in the 500m and 36th (2:24.04) in the 1500m.

The individual events which count towards the world junior championship title will end on Saturday, with the men’s and women’s 1000, the women’s 3000m and the men’s 5000m. The team sprint is also scheduled.

TODAY’S CANADIAN RESULTS

500m W

23. Béatrice Lamarche (42,538)

28. Carolane Gingras (43,024)

28. Véronique Déry (43,024)

35. Brooklyn McDougall (43,21)

500m M

17. Tyson Langelaar (38,29)

20. David La Rue (38,40)

37. Connor Howe (39,133)

59. Graeme Fish (40,82)

1500m W

7. Béatrice Lamarche (2:11,52)

25. Véronique Déry (2:17,09)

35. Carolane Gingras (2:21,42)

36. Brooklyn McDougall (2:24,04)

1500m M

BRONZE – Tyson Langelaar (1:55,66)

8. David La Rue (1:57,557)

19. Graeme Fish (1:59,27)

36. Connor Howe (2:01,94)

More details are available at Speed Skating Canada’s web site 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, City of Montreal, Calgary Olympic Oval and WinSport Canada.

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For information:

Patrick Godbout

Communications & Media Relations Manager

Speed Skating Canada

Email: pgodbout@speedskating.ca

Phone: 514 213-9897

Website: www.speedskating.ca 

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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 
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