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February 07, 2004
Prague Day 2 - 500m Unfortunately, both Apolo Ohno and Allison Baver were eliminated today in their 500m quarterfinal races. Allison finished 4th in a very tough heat which pitted her against Chun-sa Byun (KOR), eventual silver medalist Xiaolei Cheng (CHN) and Katia Zini (ITA). She finished 14th. Apolo also drew a tough heat. Apolo didn't have a fast start off the line and was unable to pass European champ Nicola Rodigari (ITA) and eventual silver medalist Suk-woo Song (KOR). He finished in 12th. 500m world record holder Jean-Francois Monette (CAN) claimed gold in the men's 500m final. Hard to imagine, but this represents his first individual victory in World Cup competition. Canada's Alanna Kraus was the ladies' 500m bronze medalist, in an eventful final (per Speed Skating Canada): After an initial false start, the starter’s gun malfunctioned on the second attempt but the race continued anyway. 'It was a mess,' said Kraus, forced to stop on the first corner when Marta Capurso (ITA) fell in front of her. 'The pistol clicked first then fired but it was still considered a clean start. We were pretty mad about it. I’m disappointed because I had a very good position on the line. I would have liked to see what I could have done in a clean race.' 500m Final Results - Men 500m Final Results - Ladies* Update from Prague - Friday's 1500m Here's a report from our Prague correspondent on yesterday's action: Apolo Ohno skated a superb race, holding power in reserve. Hunting 2 Koreans from the start to break their chain, Apolo could have attacked Ahn Hyun-soo with more pressure, but at this point, Apolo needs to skate clean without DQs, and maintain himself in a striking zone, which he did well. He is in excellent mental shape - definitely in his own zone. He is working on creating fear in the Koreans when he goes up against them. It is a mental war zone. The Koreans' technique and strategy are unquestionably superb. What makes it exciting to watch is that AAO seems to know how to decode the Koreans' strategies. Allison Baver skated her 1500m heat with impressive strength, forcing Amelie Goulet-Nadon to work hard. Allison led her race, with the fastest time in the heats. Her DQ was called for impeding on Amelie in the middle laps, which could easily have been avoided. Both Apolo and Allison's morale is high this morning for the 500m race. They are again ready to go! This weekend's competition is airing on Czech television, sponsored by Volkswagen. Posted by noelle | 09:51 AM | Comments [28]Many thanks to Hugues for sending these 2 photos in from Prague! The start of the 1500m semifinal in Prague, 2/6/04 exiting the ice after the 1500m final in Prague, 2/6/04 February 06, 2004 Apolo's gamble pays off Apolo wins silver today, improving on his 3 bronzes from World Cups #1, 2 and 4. Congratulations, Apolo! I'll just let the results speak for themselves for now (but what an exciting race!): Results of the men's 1500m final Results of the ladies' 1500m final Not surprisingly, the Koreans are still strong enough to get multiple skaters into the finals, but could their iron grip on the podium be relaxing just a tiny bit at the end of the season? Posted by noelle | 02:08 PM | Comments [38]DQ's Galore (1500m Heats & Semis) What a crazy day in Prague! DQ's all over the place for the ladies, and for the Canadians in general. Both Amanda Overland and Amelie Goulet-Nadon DQ'ed - has that ever happened? Either the refs are cracking down, or the Canadians are being less polite than usual. The DQ's began early, with Allison Baver unfortunately disqualified in her 1500m heat, prematurely ending her racing for the day. Apolo Ohno, despite being in a stacked 1500m heat and killer semi (again facing Jeff Monette and Nicola Rodigari, among others) sailed into the final. Apolo's semi was an exciting race. True to form for the day, one skater was DQ'ed (Suk-woo Song of Korea) leading to one of only 2 advancements today (China's Ye Li). This sets the stage for a crowded final featuring Jiajun Li (CHN), Seung-jae Lee (KOR), Monette, Ye Li, Ohno, Jonathan Guilmette (CAN), Hyun-Soo Ahn (KOR). In a now familiar pattern, the final is a showdown among two Chinese, two Koreans, two Canucks, one lone American.
World Cup 5 - Updates from Prague and Canada Update from Prague In today's 1500m heats, Allison is in heat 4. Her main competition will be from Amelie Goulet-Nadon and Christin Priebst (GER). Apolo skates in heat 2, against a powerful lineup including Jeff Monette and Nicola Rodigari (ITA), the newly-crowned European champion. Tania Vicent has returned to Canada to be with her gravely ill mother. Our thoughts and prayers are with Tania and her family. Amanda Overland will skate in Tania's place this weekend. Update from Canada I'm sure everyone is more excited and nervous than usual today, due to the unusual circumstances that find Apolo and Allison alone in Prague to compete in World Cup #5. If it's possible to root harder than usual for them as a result, then they can be sure that we are. When Apolo and Allison aren't skating, I suspect many of us will be cheering for Team Canada. So here's the scoop on the Canadian team for World Cups #5 and 6. Team Canada: Prague After Prague, in a complex logistical feat worthy of the Pentagon (and testament to their great depth of talent), the Canadians will simultaneously: Team Canada: Bormio Which Canadians will skate individual in Bormio is unclear, but it's virtually all new faces competing there, so this will be an interesting World Cup as we get a taste of things to come from the Canadians. Posted by noelle | 08:15 AM | Comments [3]February 05, 2004 Here's a selection of pics from the final Marquette gallery. Apolo Ohno ahead of Italy's Nicola Rodigari in their 1000m heat
Fabio Carta, Apolo Ohno and Jonathan Guilmette - 1000m quarterfinal
Stunned, Apolo here completes his last lap after crashing on his way to a podium spot in the 1000m final in Marquette Looking dangerous next to Seung-jae Lee at the awards banquet in Marquette February 04, 2004 Update from Prague More great news - Allison Baver is in Prague, having arrived there today, and she will also compete this weekend at the World Cup! Moreover, it seems that Allison and Apolo were both able to line up two different private sponsors to finance their trips to this competition. Way to go, Apolo and Allison - much love and support from all your OZ fans this weekend! Good luck to both of you, we'll be cheering you on! Posted by noelle | 04:28 PM | Comments [39]February 03, 2004 Prague World Cup Resources - update: corrected time for Sunday There will be a USShortTrackFans.com chat this weekend to follow along with World Cup action from Prague. Join the chat here. World Cup schedule: - Cyberscoreboard February 02, 2004 Video Clip: Calgary World Cup - 1500m final
Download here, then remember to change file extension from .clip to .wmv. Enjoy! Posted by noelle | 08:24 PM | Comments [29]February 01, 2004 SUPER BOWL PRE-GAME SHOW Part 1 A mini-clip from Janet, Maggie, Mylène and Sonia: Jeff Monette discusses being DQ'ed in his 1500m semifinal in Calgary... ... while Apolo does his best Cousin It impression Reminder: after you download, in order to play you must rename the clip to CBCMonetteDQ.wmv. Posted by noelle | 02:20 PM | Comments [29]SUPER BOWL PRE-GAME SHOW Part 2 Marquette candid shots, courtesy Susan G Tony looks over Allison's blades while Apolo reviews tape
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