HUGHES WINS 3000M GOLD IN THE CONTINENTAL CHAMPIONSHIPS
Canada dominated the scoreboard in the women’s competition, winning first, second and third place in both the 500 and 3,000 metre races. Clara Hughes, Canada’s top long distance woman, was first in the 3,000 metres in 4:03.13 with Cindy Klassen and Christine Nesbitt second and third in 4:06.17 and 4:11.98.
Nesbitt, from London, Ont., was first in the 500 metres in 38.92 seconds followed by Olympians Klassen, from Winnipeg, in second in 39.27 and Kristina Groves, from Ottawa, in third in 39.73.
The Olympic Oval Regional Qualifier is used to qualify Canada and the U.S.A. for eight men’s and six women’s spots to compete at the 2008 ISU World Allround Championships, Feb. 9 and 10 in Berlin, Germany. Canada’s men have already secured four spots based on results from last season’s World Allround Championship competition, while our ladies are racing to secure four of the six women’s spots.
Competition continues tomorrow starting at 9 a.m. in the 1,500, ladies 5,000 and men’s 10,000 metre races. Skaters to watch are Clara Hughes in the 5,000 metres, her Olympic gold medal distance, and Cindy Klassen and Kristina Groves in the 1,500 metres; their Olympic gold and silver medal distances.
For competition results check the Olympic Oval site
