Speed-skating: Fast times posted at Richmond Olympic Oval's debut event
By Gary KingstonDecember 27, 2008
RICHMOND - Everybody acknowledged that the ice was quicker as the first official event began today on the speed skating track at the Richmond Olympic Oval.
But at least one national team skater was wondering — tongue partially in cheek — if perhaps the officials for the Canadian single distance championships might have mis-measured the front straightaway.
Denny Morrison of Fort St. John, the reigning world 1,500 metre champion, said the ice was far better than at the October World Cup trials when construction was still going on.
“These two 500s were the fastest two 500s I’ve done all season, including the World Cups and stuff,” Morrison said after finishing third in the men’s 500, where the standings were determined by combined time in two races.
“But I sort of wonder about that. Everyone is opening really fast [in the first 100]. I’ve never been to a track where everyone says ‘Oh, I’m opening really fast this week. I don’t know what’s up with that.
“I was sort of wondering if maybe they mis-measured the finish line. Maybe it’s a metre shorter. They should just check it that’s all I’m saying.”
Morrison said his 9.95 for the opening 100 of the second of the two 500 metre races was his second-best ever.
Christine Nesbitt of London, Ont., who finished second in the women’s 500 metres said her opening 100-metre split of 10.75 was a personal best.
Jamie Gregg of Edmonton won the men’s event in 71.30, with Kyle Parrott of Winnipeg second in 71.33 and Morrison third in 71.37.
Shannon Rempel of Winnipeg is the women’s 500-metre champion.
“I’m pretty happy with the result today,” said Gregg, who is the son of ex-NHLer Randy Gregg and two-time Canadian Olympian speed skater Kathy Vogt. “I could have skated better in the second race. I kind of had a slip. But first overall is a really good achievement for, the best I’ve ever done.”
Gregg, who qualified to race the rest of the 500 metre races on the World Cup circuit this season, took advantage of the absence of world 500 metre champion Jeremy Wotherspoon of Red Deer and Canadian No. 2 Mike Ireland of Winnipeg, both of whom were injured in the opening World Cup of the season in Berlin.
Rempel posted the fastest time of the day in the second 500 metre race to edge Nesbitt.
Rempel, skating in the same pair as Nesbitt, posted a 38.90 for a two-race combined time of 78.44.
Nesbitt went 39.11 for a combined time of 78.46.
The Canadian championships, which continue through Wednesday, are the first official event at the oval and are serving as a bit of a test for the official pre-Olympic test event in mid-March, the world single distance championships.
“My second race was a lot better and I’m happy with that time,” said Rempel. “I think it’s a pretty good time for this oval.
“I tried to rush a little bit too much in the first race, was a little bit nervous. There’s more fans than everyone expected. This is the first time we’ve ever had a crowd at a [national] single distance championships.”
More than 1,000 people braved the tough driving conditions to be at the oval today, drawn by the opportunity to see the recently completed Olympic facility.
Being at sea level, the Richmond Oval is slower than many ovals on the World Cup circuit, particularly the higher altitude tracks at Calgary and Salt Lake City. But the ice is faster than it was back in October, when the national team held World Cup trials as some construction continued.
“I was barely breaking 40 [seconds then], so I’m pretty happy with my time,” said Rempel. “It’s significantly faster. I think a lot of people are happy with how the facility has worked to improve the ice.”
Despite finishing second, Nesbitt was particularly happy with her times and her opening split.
“That’s a lot faster than I’ve ever gone. So I’m really happy with it. I’m not the greatest starter in the world, so it’s really exciting to get a new landmark for me.”
Kim Weger of Regina, who sat out the fall portion of the World Cup circuit was taking political science classes at the University of Calgary, was third.
She said it was fun to be skating in front of a crowd at nationals and to compete in the Olympic oval.
“It’s starting to set in that this is going to be the Olympics venue,” said Weger. “Definitely when I came here 10 days ago and seeing it finished . . . you kind of walk up the tunnel getting chills thinking ‘Wow, walking out here when the Olympics are on is going to be really exciting.’”
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Could you imagine if they did paint the lines wrong. 
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