Wednesday, February 20, 2002
On the right track
Rumours swirl about an 'advantage' as U.S. speed skating medals pile up
By ERIC FRANCIS -- Calgary Sun
KEARNS, Utah -- The only thing flying faster than the Americans at the Utah Olympic Oval these days are rumours.
Bolstering talk concerning the possibility of some unknown technological edges the American speed skaters may possess, Californian Derek Parra improved on his personal best by more than two seconds to win the 1,500m gold yesterday.
His time of 1:43.95 shattered the world record of 1:45.20 set by Kyu-Hyuk Lee in Calgary last March. Silver medallist Jochem Uytdehaage broke Lee's record earlier in the day while Norway's Adne Sondral finished third at 1:45.26.
"Those times are pretty surprising," said Red Deer's Steve Elm, who finished 18th with a time of 1:46.99.
"You have to wonder what we'll find out in the next year or so about maybe someone's got some secrets about some technology and maybe they have something we don't."
One rumour suggests the U.S. has a new, innovative way to sharpen their skates.
It was another disappointing day for Canada on the long track. Not only was the top Canadian unable to crack the top 10 but another world record held by Calgary's Olympic Oval was erased.
It marked the fifth time in seven events the World record fell, leaving the Utah Oval in line to hold nine of the world's 10 records by the end of these Games.
Calgarian Dustin Molicki, who is currently leading the World Cup standings in the 1,500m, finished 12th to lead all Canadians with a personal best time of 1:46.00.
"I've been a little closer to the top guys in the World Cups, so I thought I'd be in contention," said Molicki, who discounts all rumours and figures the increased speed simply comes from the altitude and fast ice.
"I really went for it and put myself in that position but I could feel it with one lap to go, my legs were starting to tire more than usual."
Canadians Kevin Marshall finished 17th and Philippe Marois was 28th.
2002 Games Long Track Speed Skating Coverage
