Dutton Hits the Wall

(Calgary) Friday was a tough day on the job for William Dutton at the Calgary Oval during the Canadian single Distance Championships. He had the fastest times in 200, (16.42), and 600, 41.39 (24.97) but they call it the 1000 for a reason; that's where the finish line is located.

Dutton had a great start and looked like he would move into first place with only Morrison and Gregg left to skate. But Dutton's race ended at the 930 meter point as he lost an edge and went crashing into the mats.

"I had a little wobble and thought I had recovered" said Dutton. "I was giving everything I had to make the World Sprint team" he added. Everything was looking good until the fall one or perhaps two more crossover strides from the final straight and the finish. Phillipe Riopel won the race in a time of 1:08.51 and placed second to Denny Morrison's 1:08.29. Jamie Gregg was third.

On the final day of the trials Dutton finished sixth in the first 500 and ninth in the second for a combined seventh; not good enough to make the Winter World Cup team. "My knee was a little sore from the crash and I just wasn't able to get enough pressure on the ice in the corner so I tried to make it up in straight but it just didn't happen" said the Humboldt native.

"So it's back to the Canada Cup and North Americans. I'm off to Winnipeg, Milwaukee and then back to Calgary for Finale" said Dutton. "I also put my entry into the Red Bull Crashed Ice draw" he said. "I'm really hoping I can get into the big race in Quebec City. I think my hockey, short track and long track experience will make me a contender" Dutton added.

Dutton finished second in the 500 and fourth in the 1000 during the fall world cup trials. He is a member of the speed skate Canada Long Track Canadian Development team.