Beatrice Lamarche Shines at Calgary World Cup After Historic Podium Finish

Canadian speed skater Beatrice Lamarche enters the Calgary ISU World Cup with newfound momentum following a remarkable performance in Salt Lake City. The 27-year-old from Quebec City achieved a personal best time of 1:12.77 in the women’s 1000 metres, securing her first-ever podium finish by taking third place, trailing only two Dutch competitors. This marks a significant milestone as she becomes the first Canadian woman to medal in this event since Christine Nesbitt in the 2012-13 season.

Lamarche expressed her excitement about the achievement, stating, “Oh my god, it was something really special. I think it’s the highlight of my career so far. When I finished the race, I couldn’t believe the time that I had just skated.” The skater noted that she was close to breaking the national record of 1:12.68, a feat she had not anticipated. “I saw I was very close to the national record… I was on track to doing my best ranking in the World Cup,” she added, reflecting on the surreal experience of standing on the podium.

Upcoming Races and Training Developments

Lamarche is set to compete in multiple events during the Calgary World Cup, including the 1000 metres on March 15, 2024, followed by both the 500 metres and 1500 metres on March 16, and another 500 metres race on March 17. She has consistently regarded the 1000 metres as one of her strengths, having previously won medals in that distance at the junior level.

In recent years, Lamarche has focused on improving her speed and starts, which she attributes to her enhanced performance. “In the last two years, I started working more on my speed and my starts, on sprint training. My 1000 obviously got better, but then the 500 also got better,” she explained. This dual focus has allowed her to showcase her versatility on the ice.

A Family Legacy in Speed Skating

Speed skating is a family tradition for Lamarche, whose father, Benoit Lamarche, and aunt, Marie-Pierre Lamarche, both represented Canada in the Olympics. This legacy fuels her determination and passion for the sport. “Speed skating is in my blood,” she remarked, emphasizing the influence of her family in her athletic journey.

Her transition from short-track to long-track skating occurred nearly a decade ago, but she recently reintroduced short-track training into her regimen. “I thought about that with my coach, and we thought we’re going to go back to short track; I could do good training,” she said. This decision has contributed to her improved endurance and performance in long-track events. “All the work I did in the weight room really helped my speed in my starts,” she noted, highlighting the effectiveness of her training program.

As Beatrice Lamarche prepares for the upcoming races in Calgary, she carries the weight of her recent success and the hopes of a nation eager to see her excel on the international stage. With her recent accomplishments, she is poised to make a significant impact in the world of speed skating.