Canada's Olivier Jean leads other skaters during the men's 500-meter Final A of Short Track Speed Skating World Cup at Oriental Sports Center in Shanghai, China, on Saturday, Dec. 10, 2011. Jean won the race.Eugene Hoshiko/The Associated Press
Olivier Jean of Lachenaie, Que., won his third gold medal of the season in the 500 metres at an ISU World Cup short-track speedskating event on Saturday.
Charles Hamelin of Sainte-Julie, Que., also picked up a medal with a silver finish in the 1,500 metres.
Jean finished in a time of 41.073 seconds to beat China's Qiuwen Gong (41.516) and Dutch skater Daan Breeuswsma (41.667).
"I can't be disappointed. A third consecutive victory in the 500 metres in as many times on the ice," said Jean.
He made it through to the final after winning his quarter-final heat, then advancing from the semis after being interfered with by Dajing Wu of China.
"Today was a difficult one for me," said Jean. "I won in the face of adversity. In the semifinals, I had some bad luck on a pass that advanced me to the final. An advancement automatically puts you in fifth spot on the start line (of the next race). A fifth spot is never an advantage, especially in the 500 metres where the start is critical. I was patient.
"I did a double-pass of two Chinese skaters, which enraged the hometown crowd, to take the lead at the bell (final lap)."
Hamelin was edged out in a photo finish by Korea's Jinkyu Noh in 0.057 seconds. Noh's time of 2:09.41 set a world record in the 1,500 metres.
The medal was Hamelin's sixth of the season — three gold (500m, 1000m, 1500m) and three silver (two in 500m, 1500m).
"Saturday went really well for me. My goal was reach the final because I was disappointed with my result in the 1,500 metres last weekend," said Hamelin. "I wanted to do better to prove what I can do at that distance. We (with Noh) were super-close at the finish line. Coming in second in a race with a world record, you can't ask for more."
In the relay semifinals, the Canadian men won (6:47.326) their heat to move on to Sunday's final against China, Great Britain and Korea. Charle Cournoyer, Michael Gilday, Hamelin and Jean skated for Canada.