Canada’s short track speed skaters had an impressive start to the ISU World Tour season in Montreal. William Dandjinou and Courtney Sarault both claimed gold medals in their respective events. Dandjinou secured victory in the men’s 500 meters, while Sarault triumphed in the women’s 1,000 meters.
Dandjinou, a towering 24-year-old skater, dominated the men’s 500m race, finishing with a time of 40.350 seconds. He led the race from start to finish, narrowly beating Italy’s Pietro Sighel. On the other hand, three-time Olympic medallist Steven Dubois clinched the bronze medal in the same event.
Sarault showcased her skills by winning the women’s 1,000m race in a closely contested battle. Her time of 1:28.185 secured her victory over competitors from South Korea and the United States. Sarault expressed her excitement about the strong start to the season and the boost it provided for her and the team.
Furthermore, Sarault contributed to the Canadian Ice Maples’ success by helping them secure a bronze medal in the women’s 3,000m relay. The team, consisting of Sarault, Danaé Blais, Kim Boutin, and Florence Brunelle, finished on the podium with a time of 4:07.45.
The Montreal leg of the World Tour will continue on Sunday, with coverage available on CBCSports.ca and CBC Gem. This season’s performances will play a crucial role in determining Olympic entries for the upcoming 2026 Milan-Cortina Games in February.
