Four Canadian long track skaters finished the opening day of the ISU World Junior Speed Skating Championships in Tomaszow Mazowiecki, Poland, ranked in the top-10 of the overall standings.
After winning a pair of silver medals at last weekend’s ISU Junior World Cup Final in Belarus, Alexa Scott (Clandeboye, Man.) earned the two best individual results for Canada on Friday, finishing fifth in the 500m (39.99) and eighth in the 1500m (2:05.26). The 18-year old is ranked third in the overall standings, amongst a field of 32 skaters, after the first day of competition.
On the men’s side, Hubert Marcotte (Pont-Rouge, Que.) and Frank Roth (Calgary, Alta.), who are both competing in the second World Junior Championships of their careers, are currently ranked fourth and sixth overall, respectively. Marcotte finished 11th in the 1500m (1:52.86) and 15th in 500m (36.79), while Roth was 10thin the 500m (36.53) and 18th in the 1500m (1:54.74).
Teammates Jack Deibert (Calgary, Alta.) and Cedrick Brunet (Gatineau, Que.) are also in good position in the overall standings, sitting 10th and 11th, respectively.
This weekend’s competition will see medals handed out in each of the individual distances, while the male and female skaters with the best combined results from the 500m, 1000m, 1500m and 3000m/5000m will be crowned Allround champions.
The ISU World Junior Speed Skating Championships continues tomorrow with the 1000m, along with the women’s 3000m and men’s 5000m. The competition wraps up on Sunday with the Mass Start, Team Sprint and Team Pursuit.
Quotes
“Fifth place in the 500m was definitely unexpected! I felt pretty good afterwards because the 500m has never been my best distance, so if that one goes well, I’m usually sitting pretty good. The 1500m was a tough one, but I’m looking to build off it for the 1000m. I’m not feeling my best this weekend, I got a little sick after Minsk, but the weekend’s not over so hopefully I’ll feel better tomorrow.”
“I’m very happy with my 1500m. Before the race, I was feeling a little stressed because I really wanted to have a good race. I tried to start low, stay low as long as possible and maintain my speed, and it paid off! This is my best finish on the international stage and I’m happy that I was able to accomplish it during the World Junior Championships.”
– Hubert Marcotte
