Sunday’s World Cup races
Today featured the 1000 meters and the team pursuit races. I was especially looking forward to the team races as they are a lot of fun to watch but was also hoping for fast times on the 1000m races. The previous two days saw many records broken: personal records, national ones and a couple of world records. This is a fast weekend because Salt Lake is a track at altitude and the weather (atmospheric pressure) seems to be cooperating too.
Although, good for the riders that speed skating is no longer really a winter sport what with these comfy indoor tracks. It’s gloomy with a mix of rain and snow.
A correction on Friday’s post: Sven Kramer did obtain an Olympic qualification on the 1500m, he needed to finish in the first 12, not the first 8. So his 9th place was all he needed.
And, in other news, there’s a lovely scandal brewing in the world of Dutch speed skating. During the 2006 Olympics it seems that the Telfort team for whom Greta Smit was riding offered Polish skater Woijcicka 50,000 Euro and a car if she would withdraw from the 5000m race so that Greta Smit could start in her stead. Studiosport.nl posted a video in which Ria Visser gives her “analysis”. Not one of her better moments. First, she complains that an athlete is accused and convicted before all proof is in – forgetting it seems that back in February she accused Pechstein of doping based on rumors. Then her explanation is that everybody makes mistakes so bribing at the Olympics is really no big deal…
Anyways, back to the skating at hand. Do mosey on over to the gallery to see the races.
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