Charle Cournoyer golden in World Cup short track

Charle Cournoyer won gold and Valerie Maltais collected silver in the 1,000 metres, while Marianne St-Gelais earned a podium result in the 500m for the 11th time in 12 opportunities this season, at the last World Cup stage of the season Sunday.

The three-medal haul brings Canada's total to 44 over the 2015-2016 season, the country's highest since winning 47 in 2002-2003.

Cournoyer's gold gave him a second-overall finish in the World Cup standings in the 1,000m distance, behind Russian skater Semen Elistratov, who picked up the bronze medal on Sunday. South Korea's Jiwon Park won silver.

"My plan was to control the race and stay among the top two skaters," said Cournoyer.

Charles Hamelin of Sainte-Julie, Que., was not at this weekend's last World Cup stage in order to focus on preparing for the World Championships. He ended the season in third place overall in the 1,000m.

Maltais of La Baie, Que., stepped on the podium for the fourth time this season by earning silver in the second 1,000m of the weekend. South Korea's Do Hee Noh went by her at the finish line and earned the victory by four hundredths of a second. China's Jiaying Tao collected bronze.

"Yes, I lost my lead at the finish line because of a technical error, but I wasn't mad because it was still a good race," said Maltais. "It's fun to be part of races like that, when it's that tight. I'll have my chance for revenge."

St-Gelais' bronze in the 500m earns her 11 individual medals out of a possible 12. She also won three more medals in the women's relay for a total of 15.

Great Britain's Elise Christie finished first while South Korea's Minjeong Choi won silver.

"This third place result is worth a gold medal and it bodes very well for the World Championships," said St-Gelais.