Canada's Sarault captures short track silver at Beijing World Cup event

Canada's Courtney Sarault won a silver medal in the 1,500-metre final at the season-opening World Cup short track speed skating event in Beijing on Saturday.

Sarault, of Moncton, N.B., finished the race in two minutes 22.167 seconds behind winner Lee Yu-bin of Korea (2:21.833) and just ahead of American Kristen Santos (2:22.176).

"I definitely wasn't expecting this today. During the warm-up, I was having a bit of difficulty with my boots and my blades. I was going into the races just planning to have fun, to try to make the B Final and to work on what I have to do tactically," Sarault said.

"I ended up with a silver medal, so I'm proud of myself for overcoming what I didn't think I could and I'm excited for what is next."

WATCH | Sarault makes statement in short track season opener:

Fellow Canadian Kim Boutin, of Sherbrooke, Que., was pushed to the outside of the track mid-race by a skater who was later penalized for the move, and eventually finished fifth in a time of 2:25.388.

On the men's side, Canadians Charles Hamelin, of Sainte-Julie, Que., and Steven Dubois, of Lachenaie, Que., placed fourth and fifth, respectively, in the men's 1,500 'B' final. The finish may have been out of the medals, but earned Canada World Cup points toward Olympic quota spots.

Action continues Sunday and will be streamed live on CBCSports.ca.