The 2021 Canadian Short Track Championships started last Saturday at the Maurice-Richard Arena in Montreal.
Text: Jackob Savard
Photo: Antoine Saito
At this national competition, the top 20 skaters in the country must compete on every distance three times in order to collect points to qualify for the six-skater racing pool from which the athletes who will go to the 2022 Olympics will be chosen. For the younger skaters, this competition also serves as a qualifier for the NextGen team.
In the first two days of racing held Saturday and Sunday, the 1500m (1), 500m (1), 1000m (1) and 1500m (2) were on the program.
Dubois and Dion lead in the men's competition
Quebecers Steven Dubois and Pascal Dion are currently tied at the top of the men's rankings. They respectively won the 1000m (1) and the 1500m (1) while placing well in the other distances. Nicolas Perreault, who won the 1500m (2) on Sunday, and Jordan Pierre-Gilles, who won the 500m (2) on Saturday, are just behind. Maxime Laoun rounds out the top 5 and will be one to watch in the remaining distances.
Brunelle and Boutin lead the way in the women's championship
In the women's event, Florence Brunelle was really impressive and skated to a perfect day on Sunday with wins in the 1000m (1) and 1500m (2). The 17-year-old is tied for the lead with three-time Olympic medalist Kim Boutin, who won both distances on Saturday. Alyson Charles, Courtney Sarault and Camille Deserres-Rainville are currently in positions 3 to 5.
Hamelin and Blais out of competition
Speed Skating Canada announced on Sunday morning that Charles Hamelin and Danaé Blais will not continue with the Olympic trials due to medical concerns. On Saturday, Blais was on the starting line for her first qualifying heat, but immediately went into the center of the ice and did not complete the distance. Hamelin was 14th after the first day of racing with a fall in the 1500m final and a penalty in the 500m. Both skaters could still be selected in the racing pool.
The athletes will race two more distances on Wednesday and will then conclude with the remaining three distances on Saturday and Sunday.
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