| Special Coverage: Day One The 2005 World Speed Skating Championships in Suzhou, China  Italians Lead Medal Count at World Speed Championships
After the first day of racing, Italy holds a slim lead in the medal count at the World Speed Skating Championships in Souzhou, China. Italian skaters rolled away with seven medals today, including golds in the men's 300-meter time trial and the junior men's 15,000-meter elimination. But Colombia was not far behind. The winner of last year's World Championships, Colombia collected six medals today, including three golds. The United States finished the day in third place with four medals, all won by the junior women.
Medal tally:
(click here for medal tally) U.S. Junior Women Win Four Medals on First Day of Championships
The U.S. junior women showed remarkable depth on the first day of the World Speed Skating Championships in Suzhou, China. They won gold in both events and also collected a silver and bronze medal. ... Last year, the girls won eight medals and finsihed second to Colombia in the World Championships. this year, they look hungry! (Here's the Planet story, including commentary by U.S. World Team manager Linda Wood!) Medal Eludes Joey Mantia in the 300 Meters
USA's Joey Mantia  posted the fastest time in today's qualifying heats for the 300-meter time trial in Suzhou, China. But the perennial favorites turned up the heat in the finals, and the 19-year-old from Ocala, Fla., had to settle for fourth place. The gold medal was won by the veteran Italian sprinter Gregorio Duggento. Kalon Dobbin of New Zealand took the silver; Thomas Boucher of France, the bronze. ... The speeds on the flat 200-meter track were sluggish. Duggento's time was 25.826 seconds, more than a second slower than his world record (set in 2002) of 24.720. ... Mantia qualified for the finals with a time of 26.310. His time in the finals was 26.279. (More on the way!) Speed Skaters Converge for Smaller World Championships
They've got a new name. And  they are smaller than last year. But World Speed Skating Championships promise to be just as exciting as ever with the top inline racers in the world -- including USA's Brittany Bowe and Joey Mantia -- competing for gold, silver and bronze on track and road. (Here's the Planet Preview of the 2005 World Speed Skating Championships!) (Aug. 25, 2005) | | | Related Reading • Take a look at who's ahead in the medal count • Day 1 at Suzhou • Day 2 at Suzhou • Day 3 at Suzhou • Day 4 at Suzhou • Day 5 at Suzhou • Day 6 at Suzhou • Day 7 at Suzhou | | |
