By Jennifer Ditchburn, The Canadian Press

MONTREAL - Canadian Charles Hamelin took the gold medal in the 1,500 metres Saturday at the short-track speedskating World Cup, winning by a thousandth of a second over South Korean Sung Si-Bak.

It was a welcome victory after a rollercoaster of an afternoon for the Canadians, who faced several disappointments. Hamelin, from Levis, Que., pumped his arm in the air to the cheers of an enthusiastic crowd at the Maurice Richard Arena.

For the second time at the meet, Olivier Jean of Lachenaie, Que. was disqualified for impeding another skater. This time, in the semi-finals of the 500 metres, Jean tangled with American Jeff Simon. On Friday, he was disqualified in the 1,500 metres for blocking a German skater.

In the women's 1,500 semifinals, Valerie Maltais was sent skidding across the ice to the boards after she was bumped by American Allison Baver. Baver was disqualified, but Maltais, from La Baie, Que., did not secure a spot in the finals.

Olympic medallist Kalyna Roberge of St-Etienne de Lauzon, Que., also faced disappointment in her heat, missing her spot in the final by only two-tenths of a second in a third-place finish that had to be verified by officials.

The women's 1,500 final proceeded without a Canadian in the race. American Katherine Reutter edged out her main South Korean rival Cho Ha-Ri in the competition.

The athletes are working to secure spots in Olympic competition this February in Vancouver. The results from this week will be combined with rankings next weekend in Marquette, Mich.

Although the Canadians have had a number of ups and downs at this World Cup, they are still expected to come out with a respectable ranking that will ensure them the maximum of three berths in each distance at the Games. Canada automatically gets one spot in each distance, as well as a team in the relay races.