Charles Hamelin, Charle Cournoyer win gold at Toronto ISU event

As Charles Hamelin skated to the start line Sunday, the announcer introduced him — in a booming, drawn-out voice — as "The Canadian Stallion."

The three-time Olympic champion quickly showed why.

Hamelin led wire-to-wire to win gold in the men's 500-metres at the ISU short-track speedskating World Cup. He added a second victory as part of the men's 5,000-metre relay.

"That [nickname] started last week in Montreal," a grinning Hamelin said. "I like it, and I think it's a good description of me."

His victories highlighted a five-medal performance by Canada on the event's final day.

Charle Cournoyer of Boucherville, Que., also won two gold, winning the men's 1,000m then teaming up with Hamelin, Patrick Duffy of Oakville, Ont., Samuel Girard of Ferland-et-Boilleau, Que., and Sasha Fathoullin to win the relay.

Marianne St-Gelais of Saint-Felicien, Que., was second in the women's 500m, while Valerie Maltais was third in the women's 1,000m.

Hamelin's victory in the 500m came a day after he was disqualified in another 500m. And while, with 14 years experience on the World Cup circuit, it wasn't his first time being DQ'ed, the Sainte-Julie, Que., native said it was an added bit of motivation Sunday.

"When I have a bad result or mistakes or DQ, I always get up the day after with a little bit more focus, and more anger to win," Hamelin said.

In the relay, Hamelin took a final push from Cournoyer to skate the race's last two laps, and edged the second-placed South Korean skater at the finish line by the thrust of his skate blade — the margin of victory was two-hundredths of a second.

Cournoyer said he knew Hamelin would hold on to win.

"I built up a lot of speed and pushed him really hard. I gave him all my speed, and thought 'He's good for two laps,"' Cournoyer said.

St-Gelais, Hamelin's longtime girlfriend, was edged at the line by a mere thousandth of a second in her 500m, losing to Minjeong Choi.

"I thought I had it for sure," St-Gelais said. "I think I thought too much of my gold medal, and when I saw the Korean at that part of the race, I was like 'Oh man. I didn't see you coming."'

The 25-year-old St-Gelais, who memorably planted a kiss on Hamelin after his victory at the 2010 Vancouver Olympics, said she draws inspiration from his longevity in the sport.

"I know how he trains, I know he's really strong and he still wants that, he still wants to be the best in his sport," said St-Gelais. "Honestly it's really inspiring...he has a great spirit, he's 31 years old, never forget that, and still competing with the best, he's still the best in the world."

Hamelin, who has won more than 160 World Cup medals, said he feels better than ever.

"I think with all the young guys around me, it makes me feel a bit younger," he said laughing. "I'm always better every year, I'm stronger, I'm faster, I'm better, and I'm smarter.

"For me right now, I'm in a good position, and I'm just hoping for two-and-a-half more years like that, to get to the Olympics."

The three-day event, in which Canada earned a total of nine medals, marked the first short-track World Cup held in Toronto. Sunday's racing at the MasterCard Centre, normally the practice home of the Toronto Maple Leafs, was sold out.

"We had great response from the people, we wanted to have people cheering for us, and people came," St-Gelais said. "Honestly it's nice to have them while we're skating because they give us wings."