Lefrancois-Gauvreau third at short-track world juniors
Last Updated: Sunday, January 11, 2004 | 12:10 PM ET
CBC Sports
The Montreal native finished third in the men's 1,500-metre final on Sunday in a time of two minutes, 18.179 seconds. Lefrancois-Gauvreau also reached the 1,000m final, finishing fourth.
Ki-Deok Kwon of South Korea won the 1,500 in 2:17.956. Compatriot Ho-Suk Lee was second (2:17.956).
There are no medals awarded in the 1,500, which is held to finalize the overall standings, where Lefrancois-Gauvreau stood fourth after Sunday's performances. The 19-year-old was pleasantly surprised by the results from his international debut.
"I never expected to finish as high in the overall standings and make two finals today," said Lefrancois-Gauvreau, who was 11th overall heading into Sunday's action. "I certainly didn't do anything differently.
"I didn't feel any additional pressure. I was here to gain some good experience."
Lee finished first overall to successfully defend his crown, while Kwon took second.
Malcolm Therrien of St-Romuald, Que., was 14th in the overall standings and Montreal's Mathieu Giroux sat 15th.
In women's action, Anouk Leblanc-Boucher was fifth in the 1,500 final and ninth in the 1,000 event to take fourth overall. Leblanc-Boucher won the 500 on Saturday. Kalyna Roberge of Ste-Etienne-de-Lauzon, Que., was eighth overall and Emilie Nadeau-Benoit of Longueuil, Que., ended up 16th.
"I discovered this weekend that I can race at this level internationally," said Leblanc-Boucher, 19. "I was especially pleased with my race tactics.
"I'm coming home with a positive feeling."
with files from Canadian Press
