Robert Dubreuil hung up his skates after the last long track speed skating World Cup held in the Quebec City region, in 1992, when it was so cold on the outdoor oval that “some European skaters put newspaper under their uniforms to cut the cold,” he recalls.
Thirty-two years later, Dubreuil will welcome the best skaters in the world this weekend on a state-of-the-art ice rink in Quebec City, and above all, in an indoor arena.
Dubreuil refuses to say that the presentation of this long track speed skating World Cup at the Intact Insurance Ice Centre is the culmination of 32 years of effort within the Quebec speed skating federation. But he acknowledges that it will be a special weekend for him and his family.
“It will be one of my great experiences,” Dubreuil told The Canadian Press. “If I look back on my humble career, the construction of the ice centre is the most tangible element that will remain from my time as director of the federation. And this centre allows the presentation of the World Cup.”
As in 1992, there will be a Dubreuil who will tread the ice this weekend. Laurent Dubreuil, who was a silver medalist at the Beijing Olympics , is Robert’s son, and he will try this weekend to steal first place in the general classification in the 500 meters from Japan’s Wataru Morishige.
“For him, it’s the story of a lifetime,” said Laurent Dubreuil, speaking of his father’s efforts to bring the long track elite back to Quebec City. “For me, it’s a good feeling to face the best in the world at home, to have the opportunity to promote our sport in the region, the province and the country.”
“I’ll be focused on my races, but my father might be moved when he sees me skating,” he added.
Although Robert Dubreuil has often attended his son’s competitions, he is especially happy to have the opportunity to see him skate in front of the rest of his family and friends at home in Quebec City.
“What warms my heart is to see that finally the second best long track skater that Quebec has ever known, after the monument Gaétan Boucher, will be able to participate in a competition at home after years abroad,” said Dubreuil. “And I would have had the same satisfaction if it wasn’t my son.”
“Laurent spent so many months in Calgary, in Europe and in Asia. He will have been able to at least experience that, and also experience it when he is competitive,” he added.
A great show
Dubreuil noted that 150 volunteers are currently working to put the finishing touches on the presentation of the event, which will run from Friday to Sunday. Some have been at the task for several months.
“We are as excited as we are tired!” he admitted.
About 1,500 spectators are expected each day. Dubreuil hopes to impress the gallery when long track speed skating returns to Quebec.
“I hope they move air like there are 3,000 of them!” he exclaimed.
He hopes to take advantage of the facilities, which include 40 projectors and three giant screens. In addition, a band will be on site in addition to a DJ. A sugar shack has been set up to welcome spectators and he hopes the athletes’ lounge will be to the taste of skaters from around the world.
“We can’t reinvent the wheel, but we’re trying to give a little more than usual,” Dubreuil explained. “We also consulted our athletes to find out what they like and what might appeal to European, Asian and American skaters.
“We want athletes to appreciate what is offered in terms of transportation, hotels, training schedule,” he continued. “I think our center is among the most beautiful in the world. It is state-of-the-art, since it was built in 2021. We want them to appreciate the place, but it is all in the attention to detail.”
The quality of the ice should also meet expectations, according to comments received after the presentation of the Canadian championships in 2022 and the four continents in 2023.
