Carolina Hiller never gets tired of hearing O Canada played over the public address system of a speedskating oval.
Especially when she’s at the centre of attention.
The 27-year-old two-time world team sprint champion from Prince George heard her favourite anthem standing on the podium in Hachinohe, Japan with her Canadian teammates, Beatrice Lamarche of Quebec City and Ivanie Blondin of Ottawa, after they won gold at the Four Continents Championship women’s team sprint event Thursday.
Their time of 1:26.86 established a new track record on the ice at Hachinhoe, Japan. The Canadians stopped the clock 1.39 seconds ahead of Korea.
Hiller, a Prince George Blizzard Speedskating Club alumni, skated the lead lap for Canada forming the slipstream for her teammates before dropping off to the sideline. Lamarche then formed the windbreak for the second lap, slingshotting Blondin into her solo bell lap to the finish.
Hiller, Lamarche and Blondin were unaware they broke the women’s team sprint track record until they were presented a certificate during the medal ceremony.
On Friday, Hiller finished seventh in the women’s 500m in a time of 38.69. Erin Johnson of the U.S,. (38.16) captured gold.
Blondin won the bronze medal in the 1,500m event.
Anders Johnson of Burnaby, Laurent Dubreil of Levis, Que., and Yankun Zhao of Calgary – won bronze in the team sprint., clocking 1:20.32, behind the United States (1:19.43) and China (1:19.78).
