So I survived the grueling 1500m at Oval Finale. My body was definitely telling me later that evening that I had put it through its paces. Luckily I forgot about the pain quickly enough to stay registered in my final two events at the Oval Finale. The 500m Open and the 5000m Duathlon. Two completely different races. The 500m is an all out sprint from start to finish while the 5000m Duathlon is truly a case of endurance and stamina.
Long track speed skating is technically demanding enough to require a significant level of respect. Simply going out in a race with 100% physical effort would be akin to trying to hit a golf ball as far as possible with no regard to technique. Only relying on pure strength is not a smart way to win at golf, or in long track.
When I approached the 500m start line for my first ever long track sprint, I had only donned the clap skates 4 times. Needless to say, I was not a refined and technically well balanced athlete on these flying machines. I figured however that I had nothing to lose. The gun went off and I put everything I had into it. My competitor from Australia pulled away from me quickly but I kept focus on my own race. I crossed the line with a respectable time of 39.41 seconds. More respectable than how I looked while racing I'm sure!
Then came the 5000m Duathlon. This race starts on short track for 20 laps and transitions onto long track for another 7 laps. Athletes must change skates during the transition from short to long track and the race is timed continuously from start to finish. I am quite proud of how I managed to finish this race with a constant effort from beginning to end. The pain set in about halfway through the short track laps and didn't let up until minutes after the race was over! I squeaked out a 9th place finish in a field of 14.
The Inaugural Duathlon Champion
The Duathlon proved to be a true test of one's ability to perform at both disciplines of speed skating. The battle for victory came down to 2 athletes; Tyler Derraugh and Philippe Riopel. Tyler's background is almost entirely short track. However, to watch him on long track you would think he spends much of his time cruising the 400m Oval. Phil's background, although based in short track, has been almost entirely long track focused for a few years. However you cut it though, both athletes were well equipped and prepared for this event.
During the short track stage, the strength in dealing with the tight corners of short track was on Tyler's side. He led with teammate Richard Shoebridge for most of the 20 laps and Phil was working hard to hang on. Phil finished the 20 laps however within short distance of Tyler and was looking very well positioned as they headed into the transition. As in many multi-sport events with transition phases, the speed skating Duathlon challenged the skaters to take of their short track skates and put on their long track as fast as possible. Riopel was incredibly fast at this and although reaching the transition in 3rd or 4th, he managed to start the long track stage in the lead. He took about a 200m lead on Tyler and Richard and from there on in would be a test of who had more left in the tank! Tyler and Richard worked together initially until they closed the gap on Phil. Then it became a showdown between Tyler and Phil as Richard faded from the lead. With 1.5 laps to go, Tyler sensed the pain in Riopel's legs and went in for the kill. A risky move with this much time left in the race but one that paid off. Tyler pulled away and Riopel wasn't able to counter.
2009 Duathlon Oval Finale Champion - Tyler Derraugh (short tracker)
JC
0 comments:
Post a Comment