CALGARY, Alberta, Canada, Oct. 11, 2003 - Apolo Anton Ohno (Seattle, Wash.) bettered his own American record in the 500-meters Saturday at the Conematic Heating Short Track Speed Skating Competition at the Olympic Oval in Calgary.

Ohno's time of 41.518 seconds bested his previous mark of 41.628 set in 2001, and was just four one-thousandths* off the world record time of 41.514 held by Canada's Jeffrey Scholten. Ohno set the record in the first of two 500-meter heats. He also turned in the best performance of the second heat with a time of 51.743. Read more
* corrected on US Speedskating site
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MORE DETAILS, via Speed Skating Canada - this is AWESOME!

During the morning races, there was an exciting heat with 2002 double Olympic medallist Apolo Ohno (USA), Yeran Liu (CHN), World Record Holder in the 1000m, 1500m, and 3000m Steve Robillard (CAN), and Canadian National Development and Oval Program member Daryl Rasmussen. It was a close race in which Rasmussen skated the third fastest time (41.763), and Ohno captured the second fastest time of the day (41.743). In the afternoon races, Robillard, Rasmussen, and three-time Olympic medallist Jiajun Li shared the ice with Ohno, who skated the fastest time of the day and was close to the World Record with a 41.518. Read more

Thanks to Britany for alerting us to Peter Reath's TEFKACODA pics at ViewCalgary.com. Peter is Canada's answer to Jerry Search. The top 2 are from yesterday's 1500, next 2 are from today's 500 (click thumbs for full size):

View all the photos from this weekend here: Peter Reath Gallery

We have an operative on the ground in Calgary! Many thanks to Tex for sending in these photos from Day 1 of the Event Formerly Known as CODA.

TEKFACODA - 1500

says Steph: "Here are some of the photos from yesterday's 1500. I remember that Steve Robillard (CAN) made a pass at the beginning of the last corner. I don't know who the other Canadian skater is. And the Chinese skater, too. Chinese led most of the race."

TEFKACODA* Day 1 News

A summary of today's results from Calgary is available from Speed Skating Canada:
Fast ice on Day One at the Conematic Heating Short Track Invitational

I heard from Steph in Calgary that Apolo had a strong 1st 1500, finishing 2nd to Jonathan Guilmette, but in his 2nd race he was passed in the final corner by several skaters (Steph wasn't sure who). Someone fell in the relay, leading to a 4th place finish for the U.S. men.

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* The event formerly known as CODA

On the eve of the first competition starting tomorrow in Calgary at The Event Formerly Known as CODA, here are some more pics from last February's World Cup in SLC. But first things first:

'Go to the start!'

during a 1000m, SLC

via US Speedskating:

U.S. Short Track Team Opens 2003-04 Season in Calgary This Weekend

World Cup Countdown - 9 Days: Pictures of the Day

Apolo confers with Paul Marchese in Bay City

This just in from Katuuh:

Apolo on the cover of a textbook!

Here's a link with more info about the book.

Human Anatomy & Physiology. Man, I'd like to see the chapter on Apolo in that one.

What a week this has been! And the season hasn't even started yet.

Baltimore Clip 14

Here's the latest, from LindaM, Maggie and Sonia! (right-click and save target as...)

World Cup Countdown - 10 Days: Pictures of the Day

These 4 were all taken at the Feb. 2003 World Cup in Salt Lake City.

World Cup Countdown - 11 Days: Pictures of the Day

4 more from Bay City - signing for fans

Update: This is a fan named Emily - Emily and her mom were inspired by meeting Apolo last winter to take up speed skating with the Bay City club!

Apolo with Emily in Bay City

Guideposts for Teens Magazine Cover

Thanks to Joanna for bringing this to our attention yesterday! If anyone gets their hands on a copy, please let us know where you found it.

Guideposts for Teens web site

New book to feature Apolo

Many thanks to Addi for this info:

Xtreme Sports: Cutting Edge by E.J. Maxwell
From the Publisher: This book is about the new crop of extreme sports stars from Apolo Ohno to superstar skateboarder Shaun White to climbing star Tori Allen. Each chapter focuses on a different sport and star, and is full of photos, biographical information, trivia, anecdotes, quotes, and stats. Includes profiles of Tori Allen, Layne Beachley, Tara Dakides, Mike Metzger, Dave Mirra, Apolo Anton Ohno, Ross Powers, and Shaun White.

Get full details

World Cup Countdown - 12 Days: Pictures of the Day
(these 3 all from Bay City)

From today's Marquette Mining-Journal:

Skaters coming to Marquette
"Apparently, without the knowledge of most fans, winter sports exist — even thrive — outside the two-week window of the occasional Olympic Games. Who knew?... In 15 days, Marquette residents will get a taste of the passion that exists for one of these forgotten sports, one of the most thrilling of them all, short-track speedskating... Short-track has such a following that Jeff Kleinschmidt, the director of the U.S. Olympic Education Center which is hosting the event, is concerned local residents will wait to buy tickets until it’s too late." Read more