Canadian short track speedskaters Sarault, Dandjinou claim gold in the Netherlands

DORDRECHT — Canadian speedskaters Courtney Sarault and William Dandjinou claimed gold medals Saturday at a Short Track World Tour stop in Dordrecht, the Netherlands.

Moncton’s Sarault made a long outside pass on Dutch speedster Xandra Velzeboer with four laps remaining to grab the top spot in the women’s 1,000-metre final.

Montreal’s Dandjinou and Canadian teammate Félix Roussel of Sherbrooke, Que., finished one-two in the men’s 1,500 metres.

Dandjinou’s silver medal in the 500 metres helped him clinch the overall World Tour title in the distance.

The 24-year-old crossed the line third, but was upgraded when teammate Steven Dubois of Lachenaie, Que., was penalized for bumping competitor Pietro Sighel, causing the Italian to crash into the protective mats.

Sarault’s victory was her third this season after taking back-to-back gold in Montreal before a silver last week in Gdansk, Poland.

“I’m very happy about my race,” she said. “I was having some doubts yesterday, but I woke up today and focused on what I could control and on having some fun too, and it paid off.”

Dandjinou took the 1,500 lead with four laps to go when he passed leader Jens Van ‘T Wout of the Netherlands.

The Dutchman was forced to the inside in the straight during the pass, causing him to lose enough speed for Roussel to jump into second.

“I’m very happy to share the podium with Félix today in the 1,500, in an environment with an incredible crowd like here in Dordrecht,” Dandjinou said. “I’m also happy with my 500. It was a slightly more strategic race.

“There were a lot of lessons learned, for me and for the team as a whole during this day of competition.”

Roussel, 24, reached the podium for the first time this season.

“There’s no better feeling than having two Canadians on the top of the podium,” Roussel said. “Sharing the podium with William is always special.

“It was definitely emotional. That’s the word that best describes how I felt after the final. It’s been a really tough season. I needed to find my bearings internationally.”

Dordrecht was the last of four World Tour events before February’s Olympic Games in Milan and Cortina, Italy.

Racing concludes Sunday with the men’s relay and 1,000 metres, the women’s 500 and 1,500, and the mixed relay.

The crystal globes that go to the men’s and women’s overall season leaders, currently held by Dandjinou and Sarault, will be awarded Sunday.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 29, 2025.