This past weekend Canada's speed skaters dominated the competion winning an incredible 11 medals at world cup stops in Heerenveen, Netherlands and Marquette Michigan.
At the last ISU World Cup stop, prior to the start of the 2010 Olympics for Canada's short track speed skaters, Canadian athletes brought home an incredible 7 medals; 4 of which were won in the individual 500m event. On the Men's side Francois Louis Tremblay took home gold while Charles Hamelin won bronze. Our woman led by Kalyna Roberge won silver and Maryanne St. Gelais took the bronze. In other events, Francois Hamelin won bronze in the individual 1,000m. Canada's men's and woman's relay teams closed out the event winning gold and bronze respectively.
Canada's long track speed skaters fared equally as well at the 3rd World Cup Stop in Heerenveen, Netherlands. Christine Nesbitt took home gold in the1,000m and silver in the 1,500m narrowly edging out Kristina Groves in the process who won bronze. The two skaters then teamed up together in the Woman's pursuit to take home gold.
And despite the sucesses this past weekend, the facts are; things can only get better. Denny Morrison, a world champion in men's 1,500m has yet to find his form this season, and Canada's most decorated athlete in the sport, Jeremy Wotherspoon is returning to action following a serious injury in December 2008 that forced him to miss the past 10 months. Don't forget about Clara Hughes and Cindy Klassen - Canada's most decorated Olympic athletes. We all know come Olympic time they will be ready. And then there are the intangibles. Jamie and Jessica Gregg, a brother and sister tandem whose father is former NHL Defenceman Randy Gregg, could challenge for individual medals in Vancouver as could Justin Warsylewicz, an Olympic silver medalist from Torino.
With the Vancouver Olympics now only 100 days away things are certainly looking favorable for Canada's Speed Skating Team. And the question on most Canadians minds is...can they top the 12 medals they won at the 2006 Torino Winter Games. This writer says...easily.....Better start keeping score!
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