Two top 10 finishes in the LT Ladies 1000m
Four-time Olympian Jen Rodriguez (Miami, FL) led the U.S. ladies at the 1000m event at the Richmond Olympic Oval. Rodriguez skated to a 7th place finish with a time of 1:17.08. Rodriguez took the lead after her race against Anna Friesinger-Postma (GER) and her time held up until Netherland skater Laurine van Riessen (NED) finished with a time of 1:16.72. Riessen finished in third behind gold-medal winner Christine Nesbitt (CAN) and second-place skater and teammate Annette Gerritsen (NED).
“Overall it was a good race. My start again was my weak point. I was really slow off the line,” Rodriguez said. “It’s still fun to compete out there and I’m happy I can get the job done.”
Following the 2006 Olympic Games, Rodriguez hung up her skates to enjoy retirement but returned to the ice two years ago to prepare for one more Olympic opportunity.“I have no regrets coming back at all,” Rodriguez said. “A top 8, top 10 finish is great for me. I’m really very happy.”
First-time Olympian Heather Richardson skated to 9th place with 1:17.37. “I felt awesome. I had confidence from my 500m to help me through it.”
Elli Ochowicz (Palo Alto, CA) skated against Canadian skater Brittany Schussler in the 14th pair and although she finished in 26th, Ochowicz enjoys the progression she’s made during the last season.
“Breaking the American record (in the 500m) has always been a good goal for me,” Ochowicz said. “So I’m thrilled I was able to do that this season.”
Some skaters have commented on the slow ice conditions at the Richmond Olympic Oval but Ochowicz said her performance couldn’t be blamed on the environment. “It wasn’t the ice, it was me. It was my legs. I think I left them at the village today.”
Rebekah Bradford (Apple Valley, MN) skated in the first pair of the event to finish with a time of 1:18.778 in 29th. A little disappointed with her race, Bradford credited her coach Ryan Shimabukuro with helping her get past the frustration.
"After the race, my coaches had some encouraging words,” she said. “He knows how to emphasize the positive."
No long track speedskating events are scheduled for Friday, February 19, but racing continues on Saturday, February 20 with the Men’s 1500m where last night’s medal winners Shani Davis and Chad Hedrick will join teammates Brian Hansen and Trevor Marsicano in their quest for more Olympic gold.