Steve Armitage & Susan Auch were the commentators for CBC Sports Men's 1500m semi-final, heat #1: Armitage: ... Welcome back to the Ice Palace in Bormio, Italy, and the fourth stop on the World Cup Short Track circuit. Here's the start list for the first semi-final: Ryoung Min, of Korea; Shani Davis, of the U.S.; Fabio Carta, of Italy; Jonathan Guilmette, of Canada; Apolo Anton Ohno, of the United States - who won the 1500 meters in Russia, and of course was gold medalist in the 1500 meters from the Olympics in Salt Lake; Hyun-Soo Ahn, the new star for Korea; and Volodymyr Hryhoryev, of the Ukraine. [Race starts] Armitage: 13 and ½ laps. The first semi for the men's 1500 meters. And keep in mind the top 3 will qualify from this race through to the final. And strategy - once again in the 1500, Susan - so important. Auch: Absolutely, and especially critical in this semi that's just loaded with great skaters. Of course we have Canadian Guilmette, but we also have Ohno who won the last 1500 in Russia, and Carta who's coming into this World Cup second overall in the 1500. [12 laps to go] Armitage: Ohno and Carta certainly have the speed at the tail end of this race, no matter what position they're in, to make a big move. And it looks as if the whole field has decided to make a move here! [Said with laughter in his voice] That is Ahn of Korea - who was second in Russia and China, and won the 1500 in Korea - in front. He is followed by Fabio Carta. Now the second Korean in this field, Ryoung Min, decides to make his move. So we've got the Koreans sitting one, two. You're not supposed to be able to skate as a team, but it does happen from time to time. [8 laps to go] Auch: Well, it absolutely happens. But it also happens from one skater from one country to another country, and they protect their track so other people can't pass, and the Koreans do this so well so you hate to see them both out in front like this. Armitage: You cannot cross track or interfere in short track speedskating. Armitage: That is Apolo Ohno, trying to find a way between the Koreans, sitting in third position. [6 laps to go] Auch: I'm surprised to see Apolo Ohno looking a little bit panicky, but it could be because he's only done one World Cup this season so far. But, he is such a strong skater, he's sitting in a really great position right now, but you don't like to see two Koreans [a little amusement in her voice - not in a bad way] together like this. Armitage: Remember, top 3 will advance through to the final. Right now, Ohno is in that position. [Excitement building in his voice] Fabio Carta is making his move for Italy! Fabio Carta, going to the outside, trying to get the lead from the Koreans! It looks as if Carta's going into first place with 3 laps to go. It's Carta, followed by the 2 Koreans, Apolo Ohno sitting in fourth, Jonathan Guilmette is in fifth. Top 3 qualify! Carta with 2 laps to go! Auch: Well, Guilmette is sitting in a really good position, behind Ohno. He's trusting that Ohno will make his way by, and he'll follow him. Armitage: It is Fabio Carta, with the lead, in this semi-final of the men's 1500 meters! Fabio Carta wins it! Second place to Apolo Ohno; third place to Guilmette of Canada; and fourth place to Ahn of Korea. So Carta, Ohno and Guilmette will advance. Auch: Well what a great, powerful outside pass we see here by Carta. He's got the experience to do this, and got things going. Guilmette does not give up until the very end of the race. Obviously pleased with his last minute pass. Armitage: And you know what, it takes a great deal of confidence to make a move like that late in the race like Fabio Carta. And Carta certainly has a ton of that. Men's 1500m final: Armitage: We're set now for the final of the men's 1500. 13 & ½ laps. Se-Jong Oh [Korea], Carta, [Jean-Francois] Monette [of Canada], [Rusty] Smith, Guilmette of Canada, and Apolo Ohno of the United States. [Camera pans down lineup of skaters] There's Smith, and there's Guilmette, and there is Apolo Ohno - the gold in the 1500 at the Olympics in Salt Lake City. [Race starts] Armitage: And this should be a very interesting race, because we've got a lot of speed in Fabio Carta, Rusty Smith and Apolo Ohno. And Guilmette, quite capable of skating from behind or in front. Auch: Guilmette has experience and he's looking very relaxed here. It's so critical to skate a strategically smart race in the finals because they're always loaded with great skaters. [12 laps to go] Armitage: Se-Jong Oh, of Korea - who was third in the 1500 when the World Cup circuit touched down in Korea - is in front. That is Fabio Carta of Italy sitting in second place, Guilmette is in third, Apolo Anton Ohno and Rusty Smith are fourth and fifth, and then it's Jean-Francois Monette of Canada in sixth position. They are skating for the medals. This is the final of the men's 1500 meters! 10 laps to go. Auch: You see absolutely no panic, no worry, no jockeying around from Ohno, and that shows experience and confidence. He has control of this race. He's an amazing skater and he knows exactly what he can do. Armitage: Oh is in front. It looked as if Guilmette wanted to challenge there - now Fabio Carta makes his move! He's going the outside route; this takes a lot of energy. Then he holds up and stays behind Oh, with 7 laps to go. Auch: Well, seeing Monette and Ohno at the back, all of the skaters are jockeying around at the front, and they're just comfortably waiting for the right move. [6 laps to go] Armitage: And speaking of waiting, it looks as if Apolo Anton Ohno has picked his spot. [Apolo moves into third place] Now Rusty Smith slides into fourth and 2 Canadians are skating fifth and sixth. Fabio Carta is leading the way! Now Oh makes his move on the inside! [Oh quickly passes Carta] 5 laps to go. What a race this is shaping up to be. Fabio Carta takes the lead! And here we get a challenge from Monette! [Monette passes Oh & Apolo] It's Fabio Carta in front, Monette is in second place. [Apolo passes Oh on the outside] Look out for Apolo Anton Ohno - he has slipped into third! Auch: Monette made a very strong pass from the whole pack on the outside. [Monette now passes Carta] He's such a strong skater, and here, he's out in front. Armitage: Look at this! Apolo Anton Ohno, weaving in and out! [Apolo passes Carta on the inside, and then swings out wide near the turn] Will he challenge for the lead? This is the bell lap! Here comes Ohno!! He makes his move on the inside! What a great move by Ohno! He is gonna take the gold! Ohno wins it. Jean-Francois Monette of Canada is second and Jonathan Guilmette of Canada is third, just edging out Fabio Carta of Italy. What a great race from Ohno. Auch: Monette was so strong out in front, but maybe that pass on the outside just took way too much out of him. And Ohno is just too powerful, and makes a great pass and holds on till the end. Armitage: Apolo Anton Ohno. Showing once again [laughter in his voice] why he's the best in the world. He is so quick, so light on his skates. And so courageous into the corners. Look at him, come up to the line. [Replay of Apolo crossing the finish line, pumping his arm in celebration as he does] Monette is there for second place. And Guilmette, just sticking out the skate, as Susan pointed out, picks up the bronze medal in the men's 1500 meters. But it is Apolo Anton Ohno of the United States taking the gold, Monette of Canada picking up the silver, the bronze going to Guilmette, and Fabio Carta winds up a disappointing fourth. [Cut to very, very brief shots of women's & men's medal ceremonies] Armitage: ... Guilmette and Monette flank the men's winner, Apolo Anton Ohno.