Prague World Cup Video

The Czech federation has made it possible to see World Cup #5 in its entirety, with video footage of 117 races available to download from their web site! Czech it out.

Sonia has done a little leg work for us since the titles are not exactly descriptive.

- Race 4 = Allison Baver 1500m heat
- Race 8 = Apolo Ohno 1500m heat
- Race 20 = AAO 1500m semi
- Race 111 = AAO 1000m semi
- Race 113 = AAO 1000m final (thrills and spills)
- Race 114 = ladies' 3000m
- Race 115 = men's 3000m

MIA is the men's 1500m final. Holler if you find it.

Tiggie's Sunday Report from Cleveland

It was Sunday evening around 6, long after the last of the exhilarating events of the U.S. Championships, the awards presentations, and the team picture photo session. A large group of us was waiting in various parts of the arena lobby for the signed posters, which were being prepared. I want to make it clear that we were respectful of the skaters' time and energy, and we knew they would be tired.

Allison, Shani and Apolo in Cleveland 2/29/04

I noticed Apolo walking through the lobby with a big armload of things. We were respectful and didn't approach him. As he passed by, Melinda asked if he needed any help, and he said something like, "No thanks, I'm okay." A few steps later, he dropped some things, like medals. At this moment, he glanced back at us with the cutest, funniest little smile and look, as if to say, "Oops!"

The next time he walked by going back, he was wearing the beautiful "Short Track Speedskating" sweatshirt that April had designed. According to April, she, Molly & Lupe had met Apolo a bit earlier in the lobby and had asked about the sweatshirt, to which Apolo replied that he had worn it during warmups. April said they had wanted to take a picture of him wearing it. Apolo volunteered to go back and put it on. Isn't that the sweetest thing? So when he came by this time, wearing the sweatshirt, Melinda, wearing the same sweatshirt, asked for a picture. When we raised our cameras to photograph him, he said, "Oh, just me?" At this point, he grinned and opened his arms for anyone to come up and take a picture with him! OMG, he was so hilarious and adorable!

'Who wants to take a picture with me?'

Of course, one by one, fans came up to have their pictures taken with Apolo, and he was so warm and gracious. I was close enough to hear him sometimes say, "Hi" by name to the fans with whom he has become familiar. He was absolutely charming and lovely, as I have always observed him to be. On this particular occasion, he also seemed so comfortable and relaxed, even with the large group of us. When I shyly told him, "Congratulations," as he was picking up his things, he looked up at me and said, "Thanks for coming." I wanted to say that it was an honor and privilege to watch him skate, but no words came out.

'Doesn't anyone want to take a picture with me?!'

Then April, Molly & Lupe arrived and had their picture taken with Apolo, with all of them wearing April's gorgeous sweathshirt! Shani and Allison were waiting for Apolo, and when I asked to take a group pic of them, Apolo goes, "Oh, you want me in it?" OMG, he was just too cute and funny!

Cleveland was a blast! Apolo skated brilliantly and was absolutely breathtaking. He is so stunningly gorgeous. He is kind, thoughtful and generous. Who knew he was so adorably comical? I will always smile when I think of Cleveland. It was great to see again, and meet all the wonderful OZers, and those of you who weren't there were missed. Congratulations and thank you, Apolo!

Thanks to Jan and Kimo for these photos from Cleveland!

Apolo chats up Kimo in Cleveland

The fans went skating in Cleveland. Watch out, Milwaukee!

On the medal stand

©Pablo Galvez 2004
www.capturedmemories.ca
used by permission

Cleveland Returnees, Post Here

I received a request to start a thread for the Cleveland returnees to post their thoughts and stories in one place. The only thing I ask is that if you have a comment related to a specific thread that already exists, please continue writing in one of those threads. This one is for more general comments and comments that don't fit elsewhere. Thanks, and post away!

US Short Track Championships Press Coverage, Day 4

Cleveland Plain Dealer:
- Ohno skates to elite championship
"For the first time in these U.S. Short Track Speedskating Championships, the long-haired rock star of the event put an exclamation mark on his first-place finish and gave a glimpse of how he has brought intrigue, passion and scores of fans to short track speedskating." Read more

- Biondo going to World Championships
"Kristen Biondo swears that a year ago she never would have skated well enough to finish anywhere near the top of the heap in the shortest race of the competition." Read more

AP: Ohno Wins 1,000, 3,000m Speedskating

Final Cleveland Update - Day 3 Report from Bernadette

Elite Men’s 1000m Heats
Apolo was in the first heat, along with Misi Toth, Zack Goldberg and Alex Izykowski. At the beginning of the race, he stayed behind in the pack, which was led by Misi, Zack and Alex. With 8 laps to go, Apolo made an inside pass to put himself into first position. However, first place was taken over by Alex when he made an outside pass. It wasn’t until 3 laps to go that Apolo made his move, with an inside pass to regain the lead, and this is where he stayed for the rest of the race. The final results were Apolo, Alex, Misi, and Zack.

Elite Men’s 1000m Semi
Apolo was in the second race, along with Derek Gray, Adam Duncan and J.P. Kepka. At the beginning of the race, Apolo was in third place, and at 6 laps to go he made his move, an inside pass to fall into second place. With 3 laps to go, he made an inside pass to move back into first place, where he stayed for the rest of the race. The final result was Apolo, J.P., Derek, and Adam.

Elite Men’s 1000m Final
The final consisted of Apolo, Rusty Smith, Mike Kooreman, and J.P. Kepka. From the get-go, they were gunning for the win, and for a while, Apolo was either in second or third place (there were a number of inside/outside passes that were being made). Apolo didn’t make his move until 4 laps to go, when he made an inside pass to place himself in 1st, where he stayed for the rest of the race. The final result was Apolo, Rusty, J.P., and Mike.

Elite Men’s 3000m Final
This final consisted of Apolo, Rusty, Mike, J.P., Anthony Lobello Jr., Derek, Alex, and Shani. He stayed behind in the pack at the beginning, and with 25 laps to go, he made an outside pass to put himself into first, but then fell behind the pack with 23 laps to go. With 16 laps to go, he was in third and stayed there for a while. At 3 laps to go that he made an inside pass to place himself into 1st, which is where he stayed for the rest of the race.

Elite Men 5000m Relay
Apolo was the team leader for the red team, and I’m not going to go into the details of the race, because it was that complicated. But at the end of it all, his team was DQ’d for something or another (I’m not too sure what it was. I couldn’t hear the reason for it). Needless to say that it was a hell of a lot of fun to watch!!

Congratulations to 2004 U.S. Short Track Champion Apolo Anton Ohno, who won his 4th consecutive title today, and the 6th of his career.

Apolo Anton Ohno holds the trophy for men's overall champion during the U.S. National Short Track Speedskating Championships Sunday, Feb. 29, 2004, in Cleveland Heights, Ohio. (AP Photo/Mark Duncan)

U.S. Short Track Championships, Day 4 - Overall Titles and World Team Decided

The U.S. Short Track Championships wrapped up today with the mens' and ladies' 1000m, 3000m and relays. Only the 1000m results counted toward the overall points that decided the mens' and ladies' championships. Both of last year's winners, Apolo Ohno and Caroline Hallisey, successfully defended their titles. Apolo's first overall gives him his 4th consecutive win and 6th career title, while Caroline is on #2.

Making history is Shani Davis, who becomes the first American man to earn a spot on both the U.S. long track and short track teams in the same season. What a feat! Only Bonnie Blair in 1986 has made both teams before.
***
The skaters who will represent the USA next month at the World Championships in Sweden (top 2 will skate individual distances):

2004 World Team - Men
Apolo Anton Ohno
Rusty Smith
Shani Davis
J.P. Kepka

2004 World Team - Ladies*
Caroline Hallisey
Allison Baver
Maria Garcia
Kristen Biondo
* Hyo-jung Kim finished 2nd in the competition but does not meet the ISU age requirement to compete at Worlds.
***
1000m and 3000m results
Click for results and photos from the 1000m finals

3000m A Final

Apolo Anton Ohno makes his move to pass slower skaters near the end of the Senior Men's 3000 meters at the U.S. National Short Track Speedskating Championships, Sunday, Feb. 29, 2004, in Cleveland Heights, Ohio. (AP Photo/Mark Duncan)

Men's 3000m A Final - Results: 1, Ohno, 4:54.419. 2, Davis, 4:55.889. 3, Smith, 4:56.891. 4, Alex Izykowski, 5:05.171. 5, Derek
Gray, 5:05.175. 6, Kooremen, 5:05.663. 7, Anthony Lobello, 5:09.736. 8, Kepka, 5:10.272.

Ladies' 3000m A Final - Results: 1, Kim, 5:21.296 2, Hallisey, 5:28.312. 3, Baver, 5:28.896. 4, Jade Wheeler, 5:38.282. 5, Biondo, 5:38.465. 6, Marin Austin, 5:51.563. 7, Cherise Wilkins, 5:53.134.

***

Overall standings - Men: 1. Ohno, 170 pts; 2. Smith, 85 pts; 3. Davis, 65.5 pts; 4. Kepka, 28.5 pts; 5. Kooreman, 19 pts; 6. Izykowski, 18.5 pts; 7. Gray, 18 pts; 8. Lobello, 11.5 pts; 9. Misi Toth, 6.5 pts; 10. Kreg Greer, 2 pts; 11. Ryan Bedford, 1 pt; 12. Adam Duncan, 0.5 pt

Overall standings - Ladies: 1. Hallisey, 123 pts; 2. H. Kim, 118 pts; 3. Baver, 65.5 pts; 4. Garcia, 49.5 pts; 5. Biondo, 29.5 pts; 6. Austin, 14.5 pts; 7. Wheeler, 13.5 pts; 8. Wilkins, 11 pts; 9. Kristen Bedford, 2 pts; 10. Erin Gleason, 1.5 pts; 11. Alice Kim, 1 pt
***

More results and info: Ohno and Hallisey Repeat as National Champions; Davis Makes History

Congratulations to 2004 U.S. Short Track Champion Caroline Hallisey, who won her second straight title today!

Caroline Halliday [sic] from Natick, Mass. holds the trophy for women's overall champion at the U.S. National Short Track Speedskating Championships Sunday, Feb. 29, 2004, in Cleveland Heights, Ohio. (AP Photo/Mark Duncan)

How cool is this?! From today's 5000m relay:

Hyo-Jung Kim takes over for Rusty Smith during the men's 5000-meter relay at the U.S. National Short Track Speedskating Championships Sunday, Feb. 29, 2004, in Cleveland Heights, Ohio. Kim was the only woman to race with the men and her team finished second. (AP Photo/Mark Duncan)

Men's 1000m Final

Heard the results from Cleveland just now:
1000m final results: 1, Ohno 1:29.558. 2, Smith, 1:29.822. 3, Kepka, 1:30.144. 4, Kooreman, 1:30.634. Davis - DQ

Apolo celebrated by high-fiving the fans! Rusty was said to be all smiles afterwards. A couple AP photos are in too - more details later.

Apolo Anton Ohno begins to celebrate his win in the Elite Men's 1000 meters at the U.S. National Short Track Speedskating Championships, Sunday, Feb. 29, 2004, in Cleveland Heights, Ohio. (AP Photo/Mark Duncan)

Apolo Anton Ohno, leads Rusty Smith and J.P. Kepka through the final turn on his way to winning the Elite Men's 1000 meter race at the U.S. National Short Track Speedskating Championships, Sunday, Feb. 29, 2004, in Cleveland Heights, Ohio. (AP Photo/Mark Duncan)

1000m Ladies Final

Despite what the caption says, that's Allison Baver.

1000m final results: 1, Hyo-Jung Kim, 1:41.875 2, Hallisey, 1:42.025. 3, Biondo, 1:43.469. Baver, DQ

Hyo-Jung Kim, leads Caroline Hallisey past the finish line to win the Senior Women's 1000 meters at the U.S. National Short Track Speedskating Championships, Sunday, Feb. 29, 2004, in Cleveland Heights, Ohio. (AP Photo/Mark Duncan)

US Short Track Championships Press Coverage, Day 3

Today's coverage isn't all that fun to read. It's good to keep in mind that things were said to a reporter in the heat of the moment. Let's just hope the team can re-focus on the Worlds after today.

Cleveland Plain Dealer:
- Ohno takes the heat with win
" 'If I can't skate fast, I've got to slow it down," Ohno said. "I'm not going to be a rabbit and go out fast from the gate.' And he shrugged off Smith's criticism afterward, labeling it heat-of-the-battle emotion." Read more

- This teen is making a new name for herself
"So little is known of the 15-year-old that only Saturday did U.S. Short Track Speedskating officials learn one minor detail: Her name is Hyo-Jung Kim. She has been answering to the nickname Halie since she began competing for the United States just a few months ago."
Read more

AP: Apolo Ohno Leads in U.S. Speedskating
***
From Saturday's Plain Dealer:
- Speedskaters are making great strides on the ice

U.S. Short Track Championships, Day 3 - 500m

The results are in from Saturday's 500m in Cleveland. With his win in the 500m, Apolo Ohno has virtually locked up his 6th U.S. title, since he has double the points of Rusty Smith, his nearest challenger (caveat: I don't know how the points work for this competition but it seems like a pretty comfortable margin).

Caroline Hallisey appears poised to defend her title successfully as well, though there appears to room in the ladies' standings for surprises on Sunday. Allison Baver and Maria Garcia are separated by just 2.5 points, with Allison 3rd overall and Maria 4th.

As far as Sunday's races, I believe only the 1000m counts toward the overall title and World team placement, though they will skate the 3000m and a relay as well.

500m play by play from Bernadette:

Elite Men 500m Heats
Apolo was in the first heat, along with Anthony Lobello Jr., Kreg Greer and Zack Goldberg. At the start, Zack was in the lead, followed by Anthony, Apolo, and Kreg. This positioning remained until 3 laps to go, when Apolo made an outside pass to move into second place. With 2 laps to go, he made an inside pass to put himself in first, which is where he finished.

Elite Men 500m Semis
Apolo was in the first semi, up against Mike Kooreman, J.P. Kepka, and Anthony Lobello Jr. Apolo led right from the start, followed by Mike and Anthony (at this point, J.P. had fallen). This was pretty much it for the rest of the race, though with 2 laps to go, Apolo has picked up the pace, and the others had fallen suit. Mike and J.P. were both DQ'ed for cross-tracking.

Apolo Anton Ohno crosses the finish line ahead of Rusty Smith during the elite men's 500 meters at the U.S. Short Track speedskating championships Saturday, Feb. 28, 2004, in Cleveland Heights, Ohio. Ohno won the race with Smith finishing second. (AP Photo/Ron Schwane)

Elite Men 500m Final
This was a really exciting race, as the final included Rusty Smith, Shani Davis, and Anthony Lobello Jr. Right from the get-go, the race was tight, and they skated in a really close pack, which was led by Apolo, followed by Rusty, Shani, and Anthony. With 3 laps to go, Apolo and Rusty really picked up the pace. This remained the positioning for the rest of the race, until the last corner just before the finish, when Rusty tried to make a move on the inside of the track to get his skate over the line first. However, Apolo still managed to win the race.
***

US Speedskating characterized the men's 500m finals as 'wild and wooly.' Due to a number of DQ's in the semis, the B final was a two-man race between Derek Gray and Misi Toth. Derek finished first but Misi got the win after Derek was DQ'ed for impeding.

The A final saw a close battle between Apolo and Rusty, who made a late charge at the line and subsequently slid across the finish. 'I'm still having equipment problems with my skates,' said Ohno after the final. 'But I tried to control the race and stay in front.'

In the ladies' A final, Halie Kim finished 4th after suffering a fall.

Caroline Hallisey comes out of the final corner ahead of Maria Garcia during the elite women's 500 meters at the U.S. Short Track speedskating championships Saturday, Feb. 28, 2004, in Cleveland Heights, Ohio. Hallisey finished first and Garcia took second. (AP Photo/Ron Schwane)

500m A Final - Men
1. Apolo Anton Ohno, 42.858
2. Rusty Smith, 42.950
3. Shani Davis, 44.064
4. Anthony Lobello, 44.536.

500m B Final - Men
1. Misi Toth, 42.824
DQ - Derek Gray
***

500m A Final - Ladies
1. Caroline Hallisey, 45.529
2. Maria Garcia, 45.684
3. Allison Baver, 45.843
4. Hyo-Jung Kim, 1:12.323

500m B Final - Ladies
1. Kristen Biondo, 46.865
2. Cherise Wilkins, 47.152
3. Kristen Bedford, 49.395
***

Day 3 overall standings - Men:*
1. Ohno, 102 pts; 2. Smith, 51 pts; 3. Davis, 44.5 pts; 4. Kepka, 14.5 pts; 5. Lobello, 9.5 pts; 6. Gray, 8 pts; 7. Kooreman, 8 pts; 8. Alex Izykowski, 7.5 pts; 9. Toth, 6.5 pts; 10. Greer, 2 pts; 11. Ryan Bedford, 1 pt; 12. Adam Duncan, 0.5 pt
* Not clear why Gray and Kooreman aren't listed as tied since they both have 8 points

Day 3 overall standings - Ladies:
1. Hallisey, 81 pts; 2. H. Kim, 50 pts; 3. Baver, 47 pts; 4. Garcia, 44.5 pts; 5. Biondo, 11.5 pts; 6. Wilkins, 9 pts; 7. Marin Austin, 8.5 pts; 8. Jade Wheeler, 3.5 pts; 9. Kristen Bedford, 2 pts; 10. Erin Gleason, 1.5 pts; 11. Alice Kim, 1 pt

Results via US Speedskating
More info: Hallisey and Ohno Win 500-Meter Finals, Maintain Leads at U.S. National Short Track Championships

A couple more AP photos from today's races...

Apolo Anton Ohno, Rusty Smith and Shani Davis glide through a turn during the elite men's 500 meters at the U.S. Short Track speedskating championships Saturday, Feb. 28, 2004, in Cleveland Heights, Ohio. They finished the race in that order. (AP Photo/Ron Schwane)

Apolo Anton Ohno, rounds the final turn as Zack Goldberg crashes during a quarterfinal of the elite men's 500 meters at the U.S. Short Track speedskating championships Saturday, Feb. 28, 2004, in Cleveland Heights, Ohio. Ohno won the heat. (AP Photo/Ron Schwane)