Men's Olympic Speed Skating Team: Who Who Who?

(Calgary) Unlike the massive hype and hoopla that surrounds the naming of the Canadian hockey team it seems few scribes are aware of the drama unfolding at the Calgary Oval as the High Performance Committee of Speed Skating Canada ponders naming the final members of the men's Olympic Speed Skating team. Every one knows about the past of the men's team Jeremy Wotherspoon's trials are well documented. The final selection will be about the future of men's speed skating in Canada.

Like in hockey Canada has incredible depth until it comes to long distance skating. The high performance people a re faced with sprinters galore and a serious shortage of long distance skaters. As a result of poor performance in the longer distances the men's team is only allowed eight skaters at Vancouver. The stronger women's performance in World Cups means ten Canadian women will skate in 2010.

The real dilemna becomes apparent when you understand that Canada is allowed four sprinters in the 500 and 1000 meter races where we have a shot at the hardware. In the 1500 we are still looking pretty good. After that it's a long shot until it comes to the team pursuit a pseudo-relay where two teams start three skaters on opposite sides of the track. The 3000 meter race is over when the last skater of each team crosses the line. The women are favoured to win. The men may be able to hit the podium too.

Back to the dilemna, naming the eight skaters. Sprinters or lungers? What is the right combination? Wotherspoon, Ireland, and newcomer Kyle Parrott are in as sprinters qualified in the 500. Wotherspoon, Morrison and Parrott are in again for the 1000. The tricky part is that we can send four skaters in each of these races and we have a World Cup medalist who could and perhaps should also skate those races; Jamie Gregg. So three or four sprinters out of eight spots; that is the question.

On the flip side of the coin we have Lucas Makowsky who is our best 5000 skater and also hit the podium in the World Cup with a second in the 1500 in Norway. Makowsky is in and on the team as a result of his win in the 5000. Denny Morrison was second, Giroux was third and Turin Olympic pursuit medalist Warselewicz was fourth.

The picture could become a little clearer after the men's 1500 on New Year's day. Favourites are Morrison, Makowsky and Giroux but it is close for the second third fourth position and as we know anything can happen that's why they race.

So here's this fan's choices for the men's Canadian Oympic roster for 2010.
Wotherspoon 500 + 1000
Ireland 500
Parrott 500 + 1000
Gregg 500 + 1000
Morrison 1000 + 1500 + 5000 + Pursuit
Makowsky 1500 + 5000 + Pursuit
Giroux 1500 + Pursuit
Warselewicz Pursuit

My picks result in one Humboldt boy, born not raised, and two Reginans. Go
Saskatchewan.

Regrets to long time Canadian National team member Steven Elm who could still make the team. It's a tough choice but it is time to look to the future of the team in both sprints and distances.

You are welcome and good luck gentlemen. See you on the podium!

Saskatchewan skaters at the Olympic Trials

(Calgary) (Calgary) The star of the Saskatchewan team is Lucas Makowsky the winner of the men's 5000 and a member of Canada's 2010 Olympic team. Makowsky 22 of Regina skated a personal best time in the 5000 narrowly defeating Denny Morrison to claim the title of Canada's 5000 champion. Makowsky has been steadily rising to the challenge this season and last. He scored his first podium finish in World Cup racing this fall a Silver in the 1500 in Norway.
"The pressure is off now, who knows what I can do in the 1500" a smiling Makowsky said following his victory. He could do what he'd love to do, win another Championship distance.
Other Saskatchewan skaters continue to fight for spots on the Olympic team, this years World Championships teams and next year's National team. Mykola Makowsky, Regina Speed Skating club, and William Dutton, Humboldt Speed Skating club meet today in the men's 1000 meter race. Twenty year old Dutton finished 9th overall in the combined 500.
Justin Warsylewicz, another Turin veteran finished 4th in the 5000 and still has a chance to be named to the men's pursuit team. He won a medal in Turin in the pursuit.
Kerry Dankers, Melville Speed Skating club, finished sixth in the women's 500. Dankers an Olympic veteran will compete in the women's 1000. Dankers has let it be known that she will be retiring after the season.
Marsha Hudey a junior from Regina speed Sakting club raced the 500 and finished 15th. Hudey will be a contender for the World Junior team this year.
Dustin Johnston of Moose also skated the 5000. Johnston has also let it be known he plans to retire following the end of this season.
Prince Albert's Elliot Nelson, a junior, skated in the 5000. This was his first National Championship race. Nelson will be a contender in the longer distances at the Canadian Junior Cahmpionships in Saskatoon.