Almaty Day 3: a good day for Canada

It was Day 3 of the third World cup event of the season in short track today in Almaty, Kazakhstan. Athletes were facing each others for the last time in 2018 on 500m, 1500m and team relay events.

By Carl Savard

Photo by Danny Kim and Nathalie Lambert

Jaszapati and Girard grab gold on 500m

In an unmemorable final that saw Natalia Maliszewska from Poland bring down Lara van Ruijven following a penalty to Sofia Prosvirnova, Hungary’s Petra Jaszapati won the gold on 500m without having to really battle for it. She finished alone, seven seconds before silver medal winner van Ruijven and twenty seconds ahead of Poland’s Maliszewska

On the men’s side on 500m, in the absence of the fastest man on earth on the distance China’s Wu Dajing, Canada’s Samuel Girard claimed victory following an explosive start that saw him lead from start to finish. Girard was joined on the podium by Hungary’s Liu Shaoang and home crowd favorite Abzal Azhgaliyev. It was Girard’s first gold medal of the season.

Korea rules on 1500m

On 1500m (2) Canada’s Kim Boutin had another chance to climb on the podium on her first international competition of the season and ended up winning bronze in a race where she seemed much calmer than what we saw yesterday in the 1000m final. The race was won by Korea’s Choi Min Jeong who’s presently the leader on the distance this season. Suzanne Schulting won silver.

After winning gold, silver and bronze yesterday on the first 1500m final of the weekend in the men’s competition, Korea did it once again on Sunday despite Dutch superstar Sjinkie Knegt’s effort to prevent it from happening. Kim Gun Woo finished first and was followed at the line by Hong Kyung Hwan and current World cup leader on the distance Lee June Seo.

Canada steps on every podiums

In the team events, Canada won the gold in the mixed relay thanks to an amazing finish by Samuel Girard. Korea finished second while China finished third. In the women's 3000m final, the Netherlands claimed victory finishing ahead of Korea and Canada. Korea's Choi Min Jeong had to be helped out of the ice following a fall that occured just before the finish line when her left skate tangled with Suzanne Schulting's right skate. Let's hope the reigning overall world champion will recover fast from this mishap. In the men's 5000m, the Netherlands finished first while Canada won silver and China won the bronze.

Before meeting again to battle for World cup points in Dresden, Germany on February 1st to the 3rd 2019,  some athletes will take part in the European championships on the weekend of January 11 while the younger athletes will meet in Montreal for the Junior world championships starting January 25th.

For our Day 1 recap click HERE
For our Day 2 recap click HERE

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