Canadian speedskater Dubreuil captures 500m silver at World Cup stop in Japan

By The Canadian Press on November 22, 2024.

NAGANO, Japan – Laurent Dubreuil is picking up this season’s ISU World Cup speedskating campaign where he left off.

The long-track star from Lévis, Que., captured silver in his season debut in a men’s 500-metre race Friday at Nagano’s M-Wave.

Dubreuil finished last season’s World Cup circuit second in the overall 500-metre standings.

Skating in the second-last pair, Dubreuil knew the time to beat was 34.43 seconds by reigning World Champion Jordan Stolz of the United States.

Dubreuil finished in 34.58, just off the leader’s pace but ahead of bronze-medallist Tatsuya Shinhama of Japan by three one-thousandths of a second.

Dubreuil said while his race wasn’t perfect, he’s happy with the result.

“The start was a bit slower than last week, but this was my first time skating a lap under 25 seconds at sea level this year,” he said. “I know there is a tenth or two to be gained out there, so hopefully I can find that speed for the next 500 metres this Sunday.”

In other Canadian results, Connor Howe finished eighth in men’s 1,500, while Ottawa’s Ivanie Blondin and Valérie Maltais of La Baie, Que., clocked the fifth and ninth fastest times, respectively, in the women’s event.

Competition continues Saturday with the 1,000 races, the women’s 3,000 and men’s 5,000.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 22, 2024.