LINK:
www.google.com/hostednews/canadianpress/article/ALeqM5jIKxr2qxmV6KBsvX25L9RGXkdr9wThree bronze medals for Canada at Sofia short-track World Cup9 hours ago
SOFIA, Bulgaria — Canadians Charles Hamelin, Francois-Louis Tremblay and Kalyna Roberge each won bronze Saturday at a short-track speedskating World Cup event.
Hamelin, from Ste-Julie, Que., finished third in the 1,500 while Tremblay, from Montreal, and Roberge, from St-Etienne-de-Lauzon, Que., picked up their medals in the 1,000.
Hamelin clocked two minutes 12.709 seconds to finish behind South Koreans Lee Ho-Suk (2:12.439) and Sung Si-Bak (2:12.650).
"I had a great day," said Hamelin, who has eight medals in nine individual World Cup races this season. "In the final, we were eight skaters, which is a bit particular. I didn't want to be stuck behind so I started in the front and led the first nine laps.
"I was surprised by a pass that I didn't see coming."
Roberge picked up her first World Cup medal this season after being sidelined at its start with an injury. Wang Meng of China raced to gold in 1:30.510, followed by teammate Liu Quihong 1:30.561 and Roberge 0.036 seconds later.
"I'm happy with my medal," said Roberge. "Technically and strategically, it's going better."
Tremblay clocked 1:26.001 in the men's 1,000 to edge out the 1:26.280 posted by Olivier Jean of Lachenaie, Que., and claim the bronze.
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LINK:
www.vancouversun.com/Health/bronze+Canada+short+track+World/1265594/story.htmlAll bronze for Canada at short track World CupVancouver SunFebruary 7, 2009
Three Canadians won speed skating bronze medals at the Samsung ISU World Cup Short Track in Sofia, Bulgaria Saturday.
Charles Hamelin of Ste-Julie, Quebec made it to the podium in the men's 1500-metre final behind two South Korean skaters. It was Hamelin's eighth World Cup medal this season, which has seen nine events.
"This year, I feel really good. I know I'm strong and it's a good thing in the lead up to 2010. To step on the podium as often shows that I can keep the same fitness level all season," Hamelin said in a news release.
Kalyna Roberge of St-Étienne-de-Lauzon, Quebec took bronze in the women's 1000-metre final.
It was her first individual World Cup medal this season for the young athlete who was sidelined at the beginning of the season with an injury.
François-Louis Tremblay followed moments later in the men's 1000-metre final taking Canada's third bronze.
The competition ends Sunday.
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LINK:
www.montrealgazette.com/Sports/story.html?id=1262110Canadian skaters solid in return Canwest News Service February 6, 2009
If Canada’s national short-track speed skating team was rusty, they certainly didn’t show it Friday in Bulgaria.
After a two-month break from international competition, the Canadian team came out strong Friday, the first day of competition at a World Cup stop in Sofia, with several skaters earning trips to final rounds on Saturday and Sunday.
“It was a great day, but very long for our team”, said Yves Hamelin, short track program director for Speed Skating Canada.
“The Zamboni broke which made us late for the relay at the end of the day, but we are very happy with the races of our athletes today.”The Canadians were led by Charles Hamelin of Ste-Julie, Que., who won each of his heats, earning a trip to the semifinals in the 1,500-metre and quarter-finals in the 1,000-metre.
Marc-Andre Monette of Pointe-aux-Trembles, Que., also won his 1,500-metre heat and will join Hamelin in Saturday’s semifinals.
Monette also earned a trip to the quarter-final for the 1,000-metre, after finishing second in both of his qualifying races.
Francois Hamelin of Ste-Julie, Olivier Jean of Lachenaie, Que., and Francois-Louis Tremblay of Montreal dominated their races in the 1,000-metre and 500-metre heats, to earn berths in the quarter-final rounds.
In the women’s events, Kalyna Roberge of St-Etienne-de-Lauzon, Que., and Edmonton’s Jessica Gregg skated strong in their 500-metre and 1,000-metre heats, earning quarter-final berths. Anne Maltais of Quebec also is headed to the quarter-final in the 500-metre, but will take part in Saturday’s repechage with a trip to the 1,000-metre quarter-final on the line.
Marie-Eve Drolet of Saguenay, Que., was second in her 1,500-metre race and will compete in Saturday’s semifinal. The 27-year-old, who is returning to action after a six-year hiatus, also moved on to Sunday’s quarter-final in the 1,000-metre.
Also earning spots in the 1,500-metre semifinals are Jessica Hewitt of Kamloops, B.C., and Laurie Marceau of Dolbeau, Que.
In relay events, Canada’s men’s and women’s teams won their quarter-final races to advance.
“Marie-Eve and Laurie did very well in their individual races at their first World Cup (of the season for Drolet) and they helped to qualify the relay team for the semifinal,” said Yves Hamelin. “The men’s team qualified easily by creating a gap of a lap and a half between them and their opponents.”
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So that explains why I fell asleep during the long wait. :]
