Monday, December 10, 2001
Canada slips behind rivals
By ANDREW SMITH -- Calgary Sun
While the Cat meowed, the rest of the day was somewhat of a downer for Canada's speed skating team at the World Cup.
The big news was the first loss in three straight 500-metre races for Jeremy Wotherspoon, who finished third behind Japan's Toyoki Takeda.
Wotherspoon, paired with training partner Casey Fitzrandolph of the U.S., was forced to wait out a five-minute delay while the ice surface was repaired. The two then false-started, factors that affected both their races.
"The delay was longer than usual and longer than what we're used to," said Wotherspoon. "No one can win every single race and you never know what to expect.
"That's another part of being a skater."
Fellow Canadian Mike Ireland also raced poorly, finishing fifth.
It was the first time in three races this season the trio of Wotherspoon, Fitzrandolph and Ireland -- who all train in Calgary -- didn't finish one-two-three in the standings.
Takeda, who finished in 34.62, started in the first pairing of the day, setting the blistering pace that was .30 seconds off the world record time.
Taking the loss in stride, Wotherspoon said losing so close to the Olympics isn't a big concern and that it might be to his advantage.
"For me, the biggest thing about having a bad race is that it tells me it may be time to refocus and get on top of things," said Wotherspoon.
"It wasn't the race I was looking for. I didn't have any zip.
"But my main priority is training for the big races like the Olympics."
Following the sprints, the track was set for the 1,500-metres where Canadian Cindy Klassen finished a strong fourth behind three German skaters, led by world record holder Anni Friesinger.
While there would be no medal for Klassen, the result showed her and the skating world that she did indeed belong among the distance's elite.
"Last year at this time, I didn't expect to be here," said Klassen.
"I wasn't close at all, then all of the sudden there was a jump in my times. Hopefully, that happens before the Olympics. I know I'll get faster."
Top men's result in the 1,500 came from Calgary's own Dustin Molicki, who finished in sixth place.
2002 Games Long Track Speed Skating Coverage
