Groves captures women's 1,500 title at long-track speedskating World Cup
Published Sunday November 22nd, 2009
HAMAR, Norway - The Vancouver Olympics are still a few months away, but Kristina Groves' coach doesn't want her taking it easy.
Groves put together a strong performance Sunday, winning gold in the women's 1,500-metre race at a World Cup long-track speedskating competition. It was the second medal in as many days for Canada, following Lucas Makowsky's second-place finish in the men's 1,000-metre race on Saturday.
Groves, from Ottawa, hinted that her focus may have been waning heading into the weekend - but a pep talk from coach Xiuli Wang changed all that.
"Earlier in the week my coach kind of challenged me a little bit to step it up in my mind and not worry about trying to be safe or think it's too early this time of year," said Groves. "I really took that to heart and it made a pretty big difference in my approach to racing today."
Groves, who captured silver in the distance at the 2006 Olympics, crossed the line in one minute 55.16 seconds. Ireen Wust of the Netherlands was second in 1:55.95, followed by Martina Sablikova of the Czech Republic in 1:56.34.
"Results aside, it was more of a satisfaction internally," Groves said. "I'm most satisfied with my ability to mentally focus on the race."
Justine L'Heureux of St-Tite, Que., was 16th in 2:00.29.
The victory moved Groves into top spot in the overall World Cup standings with 230 points, 26 clear of Wust. Christine Nesbitt of London, Ont., is third with 180 points.
With two World Cup podiums and a fourth-place finish in three 1,500-metre races this season, Groves has looked good so far. Add in the benefit of home-ice advantage in Vancouver, and Groves is in a good spot with the Olympics around the corner.
Groves said she hasn't allowed it to change her focus.
"If the Olympics were in another country I would still prepare and focus the way I am now," she said. "No matter where it would be I would still want to be the best on that day."
In men's action, Sven Kramer of the Netherlands won the 10,000-metre race in a track-record time of 12 minutes 50.96 seconds. Countryman Bob de Jong was second in 12:54.97, followed by Ivan Skobrev of Russia in 13:01.41.
Kramer let de Jong set the pace for the first three-quarters of the race before taking control with consecutive blistering laps.
"I let him cross in front of me a few times, and knew that my time would come," said Kramer, who has won all three World Cup races this season. "I'm getting better now. I think I can go a bit faster if I skate my own race from the start, but I didn't have to."
Makowsky, of Regina, placed 10th in 13:34.48. Mathieu Giroux of Pointe-aux-Trembles, Que., was 11th in 13:34.74.
Groves commended Makowsky for his first individual podium finish.
"It was great for our team to see we have depth on the guy side," she said. "It also helps dissipate some of the pressure ... we have so many skaters who have the capacity to do well at the Games."
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