OBIHIRO, Japan — Canadian speedskater Vincent de Haitre just missed the podium Saturday in his first career ISU long-track World Cup 1,000-metre race.
De Haitre, a native of Cumberland, Ont., was 0.67 seconds behind Pavel Kuliznikov of Russia, who took gold in one minute 9.23 seconds. Dutch skater Kjeld Nuis took the silver and Germany’s Samuel Schwarz won the bronze.
"I executed my race plan as best as I could, but there are still a few things I need to improve on for the next races," said de Haitre. "I’m glad that I was able to perform well in my first ever 1,000 at the World Cup."
Denny Morrison of Fort St. John, B.C., was seventh.
The Canadian women’s pursuit team finished fourth and the men’s pursuit team was ninth. Competition wraps up Sunday.