Quebec City will host the ISU World Cup Speed Skating for the second time in history when the final and decisive races of the 2023-24 World Cup season take place this weekend. It’s the first time since 1992 that the city has hosted Speed Skating, when the Gaétan Boucher Oval in Sainte-Foy was still an outdoor rink. The times in sea-level Quebec will not be as fast as in high altitude Salt Lake City last week, but there’s a lot at stake, from World Cup Trophies to qualification slots for the World Single Distance Championships in Calgary (15-18 February).
Laurent Dubreuil triumphed in Quebec City, Canada, at the 2022 Four Continents Championships © ISU
Gaétan Boucher Oval
The last World Cup winners in Quebec City back in 1992 were Norwegian Johann Olav Koss (1500m) and Dutchman Bart Veldkamp (5000m). A roof was added to the outdoor Gaétan Boucher Oval in 2021 and it was rebranded Centre de Glaces, with the rink still bearing the name of the Sarajevo 1984 double Olympic Champion.
In 2022, the Centre de Glaces hosted its first international competition, when the Four Continents Championships were held in Quebec City. Valérie Maltais (CAN) won three titles in front of her friends and family and Laurent Dubreuil (CAN) celebrated two golds at home.
Two more chances for defending champion Dubreuil
After coming second in the 500m behind the unbeatable Jordan Stolz (USA) in Salt Lake City, Dubreuil was already looking forward to skating in his native city.
Laurent Dubreuil (left) and Jordan Stolz (centre) battled for gold at the last World Cup in Salt Lake City, USA © ISU
“This was Jordan’s track”, Dubreuil said at the Utah Olympic Oval.
“Now I'm going to try to swing things around and hopefully beat him and my track, and in front of my friends and family.”
Having won the 500m World Cup trophy in the two previous seasons, Dubreuil has an uphill battle to fight against Wataru Morishige (JPN), who is first in the World Cup ranking with a 37-point gap over the second-placed Canadian. But the Quebec World Cup features two 500m races, so there’s still a lot to be won and lost.
“It's the last one of the season, so that's where we're going to decide whoever get 1-2-3. I guess I’ve got an outside shot to win,” Dubreuil added.
Wataru Morishige leads the men's 500m standings heading into the final World Cup in Quebec City © ISU
Ning aims at middle distances
Stolz skated an unbelievable 1000m world record in Salt Lake City, and despite skipping the second World Cup of the season in Beijing, the 19-year-old World Champion is still in the mix for the World Cup Trophy in that distance.
The in-form Jordan Stolz set a new 1000m world record in Salt Lake City, USA © ISU
Ning Zhongyan (CHN) is in pole position. The 24-year-old Chinese star defends a 15-point lead over Stolz, while third ranked former World and Olympic Champion Kjeld Nuis (NED) will skip the Quebec races after a nasty crash in the second 1000m in Salt Lake City.
Ning Zhongyan currently tops the men's 1000m rankings heading into the Quebec World Cup © ISU
At the bottom of the 1000m field, there’s also an interesting battle going on. While the fight for starting slots at the World Single Distance Championships in Calgary is almost over in most distances, Canada’s Vincent de Haître (CAN) still has to hold off Mathias Vosté (BEL) to secure the third Canadian slot. However, with a gap of 25 points, De Haître has a comfortable cushion.
Vincent de Haitre is battling for the final Canadian slot at the upcoming World Championships © ISU
In the 1500m, it’s also Ning in the driver’s seat, with Stolz once again runner-up. The gap is ten points. Both Ning and Stolz have never won a World Cup trophy before.
Ghiotto looking for redemption
After narrowly winning a classic 5000m battle with Davide Ghiotto (ITA) in Salt Lake City, World Cup leader Patrick Roest (NED) has decided to skip the final race in Quebec, leaving the field open for his Italian rival to finally seize his first World Cup Trophy.
Davide Ghiotto is aiming for his first World Cup Trophy in Quebec City, Canada © ISU
Ghiotto, who missed out on the trophy last year after being disqualified in the final race for an irregular change-up, needs to make up a four-point deficit to pass Roest on top of the list.
In the Mass Start Andrea Giovannini (ITA) finds himself in a similar position to his compatriot. After four exciting races and two victories, the 30-year-old skater from Trento sits second behind Bart Swings (BEL) in the rankings, but the five-time World Cup Champion from Belgium will not skate in Quebec. Giovannini must make up 43 points to win. Fourth place in the race will be enough.
Takagi hopes to add second season trophy
In the women’s field, Erin Jackson (USA) should clinch the 500m trophy in Quebec, as she defends a 34-point gap over reigning champion Kim Min Sun (KOR).
Erin Jackson is closing in on the women's 500m World Cup Trophy ahead of season's final event in Quebec City © ISU
Miho Takagi (JPN) already has an unassailable lead of 83 points over second-ranked Han Mei (CHN) in the 1500m, but she could also successfully defend her 1000m World Cup Trophy.
Miho Takagi could win two World Cup Trophies at the final weekend in Quebec City, Canada © ISU
The Olympic Champion sits second behind Kimi Goetz (USA), but the American sprinter had already decided to skip the Quebec competition before she took the overall lead in Salt Lake City last week. Takagi has to make up 27 points.
Ragne Wiklund (NOR) defends a solid 38-point lead over Martina Sáblíková (CZE) in the long distance classification, with Maltais in third position.
Ragne Wiklund is focused on winning the women's long distances World Cup Trophy in Quebec City © ISU
Skating on home ice, Maltais will probably focus on the Mass Start in Quebec. Defending a three-point-lead over team-mate Ivanie Blondin (CAN), who won in Salt Lake City, Maltais has the chance to win her first World Cup Trophy.
Valerie Maltais can win her first World Cup Trophy in home ice in Quebec City, Canada © ISU
Quebec City program
The Quebec City World Cup will start with the 1000m for both genders, the women’s 3000m and the men’s 5000m on Friday. The Saturday program features the 1500m for men, the first 500m for both genders, the Team Sprint for women and the men’s Mass Start. The event concludes with the women’s 1500m, the second 500m for both genders the men’s Team Sprint and the Women’s Mass Start.
For all information about the ISU World Cup Speed Skating Series, please visit the webpage here.
World Cup Standings - Men
World Cup Standings - Women
All Media Accreditations details and deadlines for the ISU World Cup Short Track Speed Skating Series can be found here.
Where to watch
Viewers will be able to watch the World Cup sessions via their national broadcaster/channel.
For countries where there are no broadcasters, the ISU will offer a live stream with English commentary on the Skating ISU YouTube Channel. You will find the full list on the Where to watch webpage here.
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ISU World Cup Short Track Speed Skating Series events 2023/24:
Nov 10-12, 2023 Obihiro /JPN
Nov 17-19, 2023 Beijing /CHN
Dec 01-03, 2023 Stavanger /NOR
Dec 08-10, 2023 Tomaszów Mazowiecki /POL
Jan 26-28, 2024 Salt Lake City /USA
Feb 02-04, 2024 Québec /CAN
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