MILWAUKEE — Canadian speedskater Laurent Dubreuil claimed bronze in the men's 500 metres at a World Cup event on Saturday.
Dubreuil became the first Canadian in nearly 20 years to reach the podium at the historic Pettit National Ice Center in Milwaukee.
American star Jordan Stolz set a new track record of 33.91 seconds to capture gold, while Jenning De Boo of the Netherlands took silver (34.28). Dubreuil posted a time of 34.36 seconds.
The 20-year-old Stolz also won the 1500m later Saturday for his 23rd consecutive World Cup victory across the 500m, 1000m and 1500m.
Dubreuil, a 32-year-old from Lévis, Que., earned his second 500m medal of the World Cup season after winning silver in the opening race of the campaign in Nagano, Japan.
“I am really happy to be back on the podium two months after my last medal in Nagano. Last week in Calgary, I was quite unhappy with my execution, but I was still close to the podium. Today, I told myself I just wanted to have a good race. I wanted to build up speed on the outside and skate well," said Dubreuil.
" … A third-place finish with a time of 34.3 is still pretty good. I might have been able to beat De Boo today with a perfect race, but Stolz was absolutely unbeatable, so reaching the podium was all I could ask for.”
In other results, Ottawa's Ivanie Blondin placed seventh in the women's 1500m and Connor Howe of Canmore, Alta., finished seventh in the men's 1500m.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Feb. 1, 2025.
The Canadian Press