Dubreuil wins gold, Blondin and De Haitre collect silver at World Cup

HEERENVEEN, Netherlands — Laurent Dubreuil of Levis, Que., came up with his first-ever individual gold medal on the World Cup circuit Saturday as he won the men’s 500 metres.

Vincent De Haitre of Cumberland, Ont., took silver in the 1,500-metre distance for his first career World Cup medal. Ottawa’s Ivanie Blondin also collected silver in the women’s mass start on the second day of the ISU World Cup long track speed-skating stage.

“I wasn’t sure if I had the legs to win today,” said Dubreuil. “I was in the second pairing at the start, so it was a matter of coming up with the best race possible and then waiting for the rest of the event to unfold. After my race, I knew I had a chance to win it, but there are so many skaters who can beat you in the 500 metres. Some skaters came close, but weren’t quite able to do it. I still don’t quite realize what I’ve accomplished.

“It’s also the first time for my coach Gregor Jelonek to have an athlete win a World Cup gold medal. We shared a big hug after the race. We’re both on cloud nine!”