Press Release
Hamelin brothers own podium
globeandmail.com
Sat 25 Oct 2008
Section: Globesportsother
Byline: MATTHEW SEKERES
Charles Hamelin wins gold in 1,000-metre race, younger brother Francois wins bronze at speed skating World Cup
Canada's Charles Hamelin conquered two superstars of short-track speed skating en route to a first-place finish on Day 2 of the International Skating Union's World Cup Saturday.
Hamelin, of Sainte-Julie, Que., took the 1,000-metre race at Vancouver's Pacific Coliseum before 2,718 in a thrilling finish that was complete with contact and controversy. Anthony Lobello of the United States was second, and Hamelin's younger brother Francois finished third.
"To win the race, and have a race like that, I think it's what you want," Charles Hamelin said of showcasing his sport in the Olympic city. "A lot of action, a good finish at the end [and] some Canadians on the podium."
Charles Hamelin's victory was under review in the moments following the race as he and American Apolo Anton Ohno bumped early in the race and Ohno made contact with Kwak Yoon-Gy on the final turn and sent the Korean wide and out of contention. Kwak is the top ranked skater in the world at 1,000 metres. Ohno, a former Sports Illustrated cover boy, is fourth.
Ohno, who crossed the line second, was disqualified after the race for cross- tracking with four laps to go, allowing the young Hamelin to move onto the podium. The Seattle-area native called the decision unfair.
"I had the right of way because I had the lead and Charles hit me twice," said Ohno, adding that he believed Hamelin should have been disqualified.
Hamelin disputed Ohno's view of the race and said the American bumped him twice and that he kept his line through the corner.
Francois Hamelin earned just his second World Cup podium finish, passing a Korean skater on the last lap.
The ISU world cup serves as a test event for the 2010 Olympic Games in Vancouver-Whistler. The competition began on Friday with preliminaries and heats. It concludes on Sunday.
In the women's 1,000 metres, Marianne St-Gelais, of St-Félicien, Que., advanced furthest among the Canadians, but was eliminated in the quarterfinals. China posted a one-two finish in the final behind Wang Meng and Liu Qiuhong. Korea's Yang Shin-Young was third.
No Canadian made it through to the 1,500-metre finals.
On the men's side, Michael Gilday of Yellowknife and Olivier Jean of Lachenaie, Que. were both disqualified in the semifinals for impeding. Rémi Beaulieu-Tinker of Alma, Que. just missed qualifying for the finals after a third-place finish in his semifinal heat. Only the top two in each heat advanced to the final.
"It's going to happen... that's part of the deal," Gilday said about the disqualification, which he said was warranted. "Ultimately, the big goal is in a year and a half, and everything we learn here is put in the memory bank."
In the final, Korea's Lee Jung-Su narrowly edged countryman Sung Si-Bak in a photo finish to take first place. Jeff Simon of the United States placed third.
On the women's side, hometown favourite Jessica Hewitt of Kamloops was disqualified in the semifinals for crossing the track. Valérie Maltais of La Baie, Que. was fourth in her heat, and Marie-Andrée Mendes-Campeau of Montreal was sixth.
China's Zhou Yang won followed by Koreans Jung Eun-Ju in second and Shin Sae- Bom in third.
The 500-metres and relay heats and finals are scheduled for Sunday. So is another 1,000-metres men's race.
The relay finals are also scheduled for Sunday.
In the women's 3,000-metre relay, Canada finished second in its heat and qualified for the final. The men's team won its 5,000-metre heat and will also skate in the final.
Hamelin brothers own podium
globeandmail.com
Sat 25 Oct 2008
Section: Globesportsother
Byline: MATTHEW SEKERES
Charles Hamelin wins gold in 1,000-metre race, younger brother Francois wins bronze at speed skating World Cup
Canada's Charles Hamelin conquered two superstars of short-track speed skating en route to a first-place finish on Day 2 of the International Skating Union's World Cup Saturday.
Hamelin, of Sainte-Julie, Que., took the 1,000-metre race at Vancouver's Pacific Coliseum before 2,718 in a thrilling finish that was complete with contact and controversy. Anthony Lobello of the United States was second, and Hamelin's younger brother Francois finished third.
"To win the race, and have a race like that, I think it's what you want," Charles Hamelin said of showcasing his sport in the Olympic city. "A lot of action, a good finish at the end [and] some Canadians on the podium."
Charles Hamelin's victory was under review in the moments following the race as he and American Apolo Anton Ohno bumped early in the race and Ohno made contact with Kwak Yoon-Gy on the final turn and sent the Korean wide and out of contention. Kwak is the top ranked skater in the world at 1,000 metres. Ohno, a former Sports Illustrated cover boy, is fourth.
Ohno, who crossed the line second, was disqualified after the race for cross- tracking with four laps to go, allowing the young Hamelin to move onto the podium. The Seattle-area native called the decision unfair.
"I had the right of way because I had the lead and Charles hit me twice," said Ohno, adding that he believed Hamelin should have been disqualified.
Hamelin disputed Ohno's view of the race and said the American bumped him twice and that he kept his line through the corner.
Francois Hamelin earned just his second World Cup podium finish, passing a Korean skater on the last lap.
The ISU world cup serves as a test event for the 2010 Olympic Games in Vancouver-Whistler. The competition began on Friday with preliminaries and heats. It concludes on Sunday.
In the women's 1,000 metres, Marianne St-Gelais, of St-Félicien, Que., advanced furthest among the Canadians, but was eliminated in the quarterfinals. China posted a one-two finish in the final behind Wang Meng and Liu Qiuhong. Korea's Yang Shin-Young was third.
No Canadian made it through to the 1,500-metre finals.
On the men's side, Michael Gilday of Yellowknife and Olivier Jean of Lachenaie, Que. were both disqualified in the semifinals for impeding. Rémi Beaulieu-Tinker of Alma, Que. just missed qualifying for the finals after a third-place finish in his semifinal heat. Only the top two in each heat advanced to the final.
"It's going to happen... that's part of the deal," Gilday said about the disqualification, which he said was warranted. "Ultimately, the big goal is in a year and a half, and everything we learn here is put in the memory bank."
In the final, Korea's Lee Jung-Su narrowly edged countryman Sung Si-Bak in a photo finish to take first place. Jeff Simon of the United States placed third.
On the women's side, hometown favourite Jessica Hewitt of Kamloops was disqualified in the semifinals for crossing the track. Valérie Maltais of La Baie, Que. was fourth in her heat, and Marie-Andrée Mendes-Campeau of Montreal was sixth.
China's Zhou Yang won followed by Koreans Jung Eun-Ju in second and Shin Sae- Bom in third.
The 500-metres and relay heats and finals are scheduled for Sunday. So is another 1,000-metres men's race.
The relay finals are also scheduled for Sunday.
In the women's 3,000-metre relay, Canada finished second in its heat and qualified for the final. The men's team won its 5,000-metre heat and will also skate in the final.