Richardson on the fast track at the Games
February 16, 2010—Richmond, British Columbia
After only being on the ice for a little over two years, former inline skater Heather Richardson (High Point, NC) wowed the crowd and surprised herself with a great finish in her 500m event at the Richmond Olympic Oval. The long track speedskater raced to a sixth place finish in the event that was won by Korea’s Sang-Hwa Lee.
“I was shooting for top 15 so sixth is amazing,” Richardson said. “It’s my best 500m finish.”
Richardson’s first race time was 38.698—good enough for ninth place at the end of race number one. Her time of 38.477 in her second race and a combined time of 77.17 put her right up there with the top skaters in the world. Richardson’s next race is the Ladies 1000m scheduled for Thursday, Feb. 18.
“The 1000m is definitely my best race. With a great 500m today I’m looking forward to a great 1000m,” she said.
U.S. champion Elli Ochowicz (Palo Alto, CA) didn’t have the race she was hoping for and wound up in 17th place with a combined time of 78.05. Ochowicz will also be skating in Thursday’s 1000m event.
“I think in any sport you have to be prepared for the unexpected and mentally hope it won’t get to you,” Ochowicz said. “I believe I’m fully capable of forgetting about today and focusing on Thursday’s race.”
Returning Olympian Jen Rodriguez (Miami, FL) and Olympic newcomer Lauren Cholewinski (York, SC) finished in 21st and 30th respectively.
Racing continues tomorrow at the Richmond Olympic Oval at 4 p.m. (PST) when Shani Davis, Chad Hedrick, Trevor Marsicano and Nick Pearson skate the Men’s 1000m.