500 meters & Relay Results

Josh Wood prepares to skate the Senior Men's Relay Heat

Today's weather is blah. No sun and yet it is bright and I could really use my sunglasses. I have put them on, only for it to be too dark. But one thing does not change.. it is still too hot!

The 500-meter heats, quarters and semi's ran earlier this morning, and we will finish this session off with the 3000-meter, 3-person relay heats.

Right now the Sr Ladies from Team USA is leading the heat but they have Colombia, France, China Taipei and Germany right there. Al of these teams have won a World Championship in the relay at one time or another. They came across the line 3rd.

Safely into the final tonight, representing Team USA will be the Jr Ladies Team of Alex Harris, Mariah Richardson and Briana Kramer winning their heat. Also winning their heat was the Jr Men's team of Colin Thomas, Keith Carroll and Chad Horne.

Alex, Bri & Mariah "chill" after making their relay final which will be skated tonight.


For the 500 finals tonight you should watch for:

JUNIOR LADIES

58 KOREA
62 KOREA
47 ITALY
49 ITALY

Mark my words............ this is going to be a battle!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

JUNIOR MEN

31 COLOMBIA
62 ITALY
85 USA - CHAD HORNE
26 COLOMBIA

SENIOR has not been officially turned in, however I do know that Joey Mantia has made the 500-meter final. He has chosen to step out of the relay for the heats (which every team can do) and Josh Wood will skate in Joey's place with Jonathan Garcia and Sebastian Cano. If this team qualifies for the final tonight, Josh Wood will step down and Joey Mantia will skate the event.

Each team is allowed to turn in four names to the officials. Should one of those skaters become unavailable to skate, you can substitute with the 4th skater. Which in this case is a smart move to save Joey's legs.

We believe that the Sr Women's team of Sara Sayasane, Heather Richardson and Brittany Bowe have qualified for the finals. The reason we are not sure is that it appeared that there were only 2 heats of women (again... no information to the press) . If so their 3rd place finish would be good enough for the final event. If there were 3 or more heats, then they would only take two to the final.

Senior Men's Team USA just qualified in heat one, first place, easily for the final. Another hot night tonight... and not just the weather!

Linda