MANTIA - 25.47*** KALON DOBBINS INJURED***

USA's Joey Mantia waits before the start of his 300-meter time trial qualifier.

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JUST IN.. AS KALON DOBBINS GOT OFF OF THE LINE AND TOOK THE 3RD OR 4TH STEP INJURY HAS TAKEN HIM OUT OF THIS RACE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I have been told that he injured himself last week, a possible groin pull or tear... and he was screaming for a doctor!! All of racing has come to a stand still.

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With the Senior Men not even half over, Mantia posts a 25.47 after waiting more than 5 minutes while the officials fixed another problem with the timing equipment.

The skater before Joey didn't get past the 200-meter mark before he was officially stopped by the referees whistles. The clock never started so neither did his time. Joey was like a caged animal as he first paced back and forth, then practiced his running starts and then rolled the whole track. This kind of "wait" is very difficult for any athlete, but more so for the elite athlete who has his whole season on the line for a mere 25 seconds of time that he or she can show the world what they can do.

Joey got off the line very well and skated a strong first corner, hugging the blue line, powering down the first straightaway he seemed to "glance" over at the clock almost as if he was checking his 100-meter split time and then appeared to "just skate". Honestly I think (and this is just MY opinion) Joey might be saving it for tonight. He might not want to go into the final in first (having to skate last) or go into the final in 12th (where he would have to skate first). But if he was playing with time, I hope he played it right.

Gregory Diggento, the fastest man in the world, just finished skating posting a 25.10. So far the fastest skater is the skater from China Taipei with a 24.81. Even the first Colombian, who just finished posted a time of 25.74.

I will be back...L & A

They just announced that ONLY the Senior Men will have HEATS for the 10K Points/Elim race immediately following the completion of the 300-m.

Joey must prepare himself again as he and teammate Jonathan Garcia will be representing Team USA in those heats. Due to having to charge all of these batteries.... I must go back to the room. I will not be here to give you those results. The finals tonight will be incredible. While Ananda takes down all of the information, I will be videotaping everything. I do not want to promise that I will be updating as fast as today.