News

U.S. Single Distance Championships

With one day to go till the 2012 Fall World Cup team is announced, it is likely one name will be on the roster, that of Heather Richardson.  In the second day of competition at the Pettit National Ice Center, Richardson dominated the ladies races, winning both the second 500m (38.27)--she won the first one yesterday--and the 1000m (1:14.00), her favorite distance, just barely missing the American record (1:13.83 / Chris Witty) by less than two-tenths of a second.

"I'm a little sluggish after the 3000m yesterday.  I can definitely feel it in my legs. but I'm excited that my favorite race is next...the 1000m and then I can rest up before the 1500m tomorrow," she said after her win in the 500m.  "I'm looking forward to the first World Cup in Heerenveen.  The stands are always packed and its always fun and there's a lot of energy."

Lauren Cholewinski placed second in the 500m and Sugar Todd took third (38.65), her first-ever podium finish. The men also competed in the last of two 500m races today and once again, Mitch Whitmore took the top spot (35.25), followed by Tucker Fredricks (35.31) and Shani Davis (35.78).

Brittany Bowe, who is starting her second full skating season strong, finished second (1:15.70) behind Richardson in the 1000m, followed by Elli Ochowicz in third (1:17.27).  Ochowicz had retired in 2010 after the Vancouver Olympics but decided to come back to skating and has only been back on the ice for six months.

"I'm really excited.  It's kinda shocking cause coming back I thought I would make it in the 500m before I thought I would make it in the 1000m," said Ochowicz after making the podium in the 1000m.  "It's the complete opposite but kind of the new trend in the way I'm racing and training is that I have more endurance now and less speed.  The 1000m was definitely my favorite this weekend.  I'm really happy and excited to be traveling to Europe with my teammates.  I would have been really sad if I had to say behind."

Shani Davis, the only man to win back-to-back Olympic Gold Medals in the 1000m, took first in the men's 1000m race today (1:08.45), followed by Brian Hansen in second (1:09.30) and Jonathan Garcia in third (1:09.70).  This marks the first long track podium for Garcia, who switched over from short track this season.

The competition begins again tomorrow at 9:00 am at the Pettit, with the final distance of 1500m, along with the team pursuit and mass start races.  The Fall World Cup team will also be announced at the end of competition.  For today's complete results, visit the event info page (http://www.usspeedskating.org/athletes/results). For updates tomorrow, visit the USS Facebook page (www.facebook.com/usspeedskating) or our Twitter feed (www.twitter.com/usspeedskating).

Flash Quotes From the Day

Heather Richardson | 1st | 500m | 38.27

"I'm a little sluggish after the 3K yesterday.  I can definitely feel it in my legs. but I'm excited that my favorite race is next...the 1000m and then I can rest up before the 1500m tomorrow.  I'm looking forward to the first World Cup in Heerenveen.  The stands are always packed and its always fun and there's a lot of energy."

Lauren Cholewinski | 2nd | 500m | 38.43

"Ouch. I'm hurting. I was able to find my snap but I was hurting today. I want to go to Sochi for the Single Distance Championships for sure.  Right now I'm in the top 10 fastest times in the world posted so far, so I think my chances of going are good if I just stay focused and keep doing what I'm doing."

Sugar Todd | 3rd and first podium finish | 500m | 38.66

"It feels awesome to be on the podium for the first time.  The race felt really good, the start felt better than yesterday.  It was quick.  I've been trying to get under 38.86, which is the World Cup qualifying time for US Speedskating and I got that today so it was a great race."

Mitch Whitmore | 1st | 500m | 35.25

"I've skated decent this weekend so far. I still have another race to go. I'm most looking forward to skating in Japan.  I've never been there but I've heard a lot of good things about it.  I just want to skate well there too.  That's the goal"

Elli Ochowicz | 3rd | 1000m | 1:17.27

"I'm really excited.  It's kinda shocking cause coming back I thought I would make it in the 500m before I thought I would make it in the 1000m.  It's the complete opposite but kind of the new trend in the way I'm racing and training is that I have more endurance now and less speed.  The 1000m was definitely my favorite this weekend.  I'm really happy and excited to be traveling to Europe with my teammates.  I would have been really sad if I had to say behind."