Day 2 - 2005 World Speed Skating Championships

Special Coverage: Day Two

The 2005 World Speed Skating Championships in Suzhou, China

Koreans Roll Into Contention on Second Day of Worlds

By Robert "Just the Factoids" Burnson

After being shut out on Day One of the 2005 World Speed Skating Championships, South Korea won three medals today, including a gold in the men's 10,000-meter points elimination.

The story was just the opposite for Team USA.

After winning four medals yesterday, the team was unable to reach the podium today, although Chris Creveling of Kintnersville, Pa., came close, finishing fifth in the men's points race.

Steady rain fell in the morning in Suzhou, forcing officials to cancel the morning schedule on the 200-meter outdoor track.

But in the afternoon, the rain let up and racing resumed.

Due to the delay, the finals of the 1000 meters were postponed until tomorrow.

Still On Top

Italy and Colombia maintained their overall lead in the medal tally.

Italy added three medals, including a gold in the women's points race.

Colombia added two medals: a silver and a bronze.

New Zealand won its first gold of the championships with Peter Michael winning the junior men's points race.

So did Chile with Catherine Penan winning the junior women's race.

The Korean duo of Kwon Dasol and Nam Yoo Jong skated a brilliant tactical race to take the gold and bronze in the men's race.

The race was 50 laps with points awarded to the lead skaters every other lap.

Near the end of the race, several skaters -- including Korea's Dasol, Colombia's Nelson Garzon and Switzerland's Alain Gloor -- were in contention for the gold.

But on the last lap, the other Korean skater, Nam Yoo Jong, sprinted into the lead and crossed the finish line first.

This earned him three points, enough to give him the bronze medal and protect the overall lead for his teammate, Dasol, who won the gold.

Medal tally:
(Click here for a look at whose ahead.)

Event Preview: Speed Skaters Converge for Smaller World Championships
It's got a new name. And it's 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)