Day 2 at Worlds: New Zealand and Mantia

The second day of racing here in Anyang, Korea at the 2006 world roller speed skating championships is over. The two big stories of the day include New Zealand sky-rocketing up the medal standings with two gold medals in the 10km points/ elimination senior and a silver in the junior men’s followed by a bronze in the senior 1000-meter. The other story is Joey Mantia’s fantastic race in the 1000-meter final, earning the silver medal while being fouled left, center, and right by a Colombian skater who was protecting gold medal winner Jorge Botero. Botero received many boos from the skaters and fans watching the race while Joey Mantia was greeted off the track with applause.


Race & Roll Skating Magazine in one of the 4 skate shops close to the track.


USA skaters at the Outback at the track.


Calgary’s Alex D’mello receiving last minute instructions from coach Alex Perrie.


Junior men early on in the 10km points/ elimination race. A skater from Korea won the race in a breakaway.


Vive la France! Thomas Boucher and Cindy Etonno.


The senior women’s 10km points/ elimination winning wheels; Matter and MPC.


Scott Alridge; winner of the senior men’s 10km points/ elimination race. Prior to the senior men’s race, Scott’s country mate, Nicole Begg went on a big breakaway and won gold in the race. Scott won the race in the same style with a beautiful break with the help of Shane Dobbin. Does anyone remember the 2004 Italy 5km points race on the road? Scott sacrificed his race so Shane could win the gold. It was Shane who paid Scott back this year.


Senior women during their 1000-meter race.


Senior men’s 1000-meter race. You know the story- Joey Mantia was clearly on his way to 1st place when he was fouled, on my count, 3 times. The USA coaches and skaters, amongst many, were livid and going crazy!

Ok, what about Canada you ask? Our 1000’s were ok. I finished with a 1:34 which placed me 30th of 45. Sigrid was around 1:50, Andrew around 1:37, Jade 1:38, and Jesse 1:35.

For the 10km points/ elimination races, Alex and Jesse were eliminated earlier but still put forth a strong effort, fighting for each position. Andrew and I skated the 10k and I finished somewhere around 33rd of 50-something. I am feeling much more comfortable on the track now and my results and my skating are getting better. I’d like to crack the top-30.