Dubois and Dion triumph to lead way for new Canadian generation
With the retirement of legendary skater Charles Hamelin (CAN) after the Beijing 2022 Olympic Winter Games, some might have feared that the only way was down for Canadian Short Track.
They needn’t have worried. Hamelin was in the building for the second day of the ISU World Cup in Montreal on Sunday – he was handing out the medals – but with Canada’s men taking both of the day’s individual titles, the future of the sport is clearly looking bright.
Two of the young skaters that Hamelin accompanied to win the relay at the Beijing 2022 Olympic Winter Games have seriously stepped up their individual performances over recent seasons, and produced some of their best displays ever in front of a raucous Quebecois crowd.
Steven Dubois (CAN) won the 500m with a blistering display, while Pascal Dion (CAN) secured gold in the 1000m (2).
Dubois has been like a rocket all weekend. In the 500m final, he took the lead on the first corner and flew ahead. A late charge from Korea’s Lee June Seo (KOR) couldn’t catch him: the Korean was second with Pietro Sighel (ITA) third.
Steven Dubois (CAN, left) tops off a fine weekend with victory in the men's 500m. © ISU
“I was going for the win, I want to win races this season, so I’m very happy with the race,” said Dubois. “The Olympics was amazing, and since then, I just want to win more. It gave me the appetite to get more golds – I’ve got hooked on it.”
Dion hits top form
Pascal Dion had by far his best ever season in 2021-22, finishing as the best overall 1000m racer, before putting the cherry on the top with his Olympic relay gold.
He was more consistent than dominant, however, and prior to this weekend had only recorded a single individual World Cup gold medal.
In the 1000m (2), however, he proved he is now the man to beat, moving into first place with three laps to go and brilliantly holding off Koreans Hong Kyung Hwan, who got silver, and Kim Tae Sung, who won bronze.
“I came into the competition with some new strategies, I wanted to keep some legs for the end of the race, and it worked out well,” said Dion.
Pascal Dion (CAN, right) overhauls Hong Kyung Hwan (KOR) to take gold in the men's 1000m. © ISU
Like Dubois, his Beijing 2022 success seems to have given Dion belief. “It’s been a good summer,” he said. “It was good to have a few weeks to have time with family, friends, girlfriend.
“The Olympics was so great, we had lots of celebrations afterwards and I was enjoying life. It has motivated me for this season. Last year was crazy season, and it had given me wings. I’m looking forward to having fun and doing some good races.”
Their old mentor Hamelin was impressed. “Those guys are family for me, I’ve been with them for so long, and Canadian skating is in good hands,” he said.
“Steven and Pascal are moving in a good direction. It is no surprise for me to see them having this success. It is confirmation that the process is going well for them, and they can inspire new young guys and girls, too.”
Judging from the crowd reaction, they already have.
Republic of Korea won the 5000m relay, ahead of Kazakhstan, with Canada coming third.
Canada couldn't make it a clean sweep on Sunday with Republic of Korea winning gold in the 5000m relay. © ISU
The World Cup tour continues 4-6 November in Salt Lake City.
For all information about the ISU World Cup Short Track Speed Skating Series, please visit webpage here.
World Cup Classification - Men
Overall World Cup Classification
World Cup Classification - Women
Overall World Cup Classification
World Cup Classification – Mixed Relay
Where to watch
Viewers will be able to watch the Saturday and Sunday afternoon (local time) World Cup sessions via their national broadcaster/channel.
For countries where there are no broadcasters and for the qualification and repechage races, the ISU will offer a live stream on the Skating ISU YouTube Channel. You will find the full list on the Where to watch webpage here.
ISU World Cup Short Track Speed Skating Series events 2022/23:
Oct 28 - 30, 2022 Montréal /CAN
Nov 04 - 06, 2022 Salt Lake City /USA
Dec 09 - 11, 2022 Almaty /KAZ
Dec 16 - 18, 2022 Almaty /KAZ
Feb 03 - 05, 2023 Dresden /GER
Feb 10 - 12, 2023 Dordrecht /NED
About ISU World Cup Short Track Speed Skating Series
The ISU World Cup Short Track Speed Skating Series celebrates its 25th anniversary in 2022. Launched in 1997/98, the Series usually consists of six events (four during an Olympic season) that take place in North America, Europe and Asia.
The competitions have a single distance character across nine distances (500, 1000 and 1500 meters for Women and Men, Women 3000 meters Team Relay, Men 5000 meters Team Relay and a Mixed Gender Relay over 2000 meters), and to mark its 25th anniversary, the series now also includes an Overall World Classification based on an accumulation of points from all individual distances which will determine a Combined Season Ranking and a Season Champion in the Women and Men categories. These Champions will be awarded with the new ISU World Cup Short Track Crystal Globe Trophy.
Each competition is held over three days (day 1 is dedicated to all Qualifying Rounds, days 2 and 3 consist of the last Qualifying Rounds followed by the World Cup sessions). For the Mixed Gender Relay Teams (2 Women & 2 Men), the Women 3000 meters Relay races and Men 5000 meters Relay races a maximum of four Skaters shall compete and must belong to the same ISU Member. For further information please visit isu.org.
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