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10,000m Points/Elimination:
This race
consists of 50 grueling laps. To gain points,
you must place 1st, 2nd or 3rd over the
line each time the bell is rung. The exception
is the final lap which offers more place
points and more points per place. The skaters
are pre-warned of which laps the bell will
ring so they are prepared to sprint. To
keep your points, you must finish the race.
Lastly, you cannot be the last over the
finish line when elimination bell laps count.
During the race the announcers call the
intension of the bell, to offer points and
/ or to eliminate another skater.´
Junior
Ladies, 10,000m Points/Elimination:
There were many early warnings, which
is normal for a race of this type and
length. The early leaders were the United
States and New Zealand who was again,
skating ´solo´. The pace was
unbelievably fast, almost frighteningly
so in the later stages of the race. The
joy, tears and unusual but delightful
displays of affection opening expressed
after Chae Yi Kuck of South Korea, who
lead many of the latter laps in this race,
gained more than sufficient points to
take the gold medal.
Junior
Men 10,000m Points/Elimination. Just
one lap into the race and a slip almost
took an Australian skater out of the race.
Whether it was just fast reflexes or a
friendly gesture, a New Zealand skater
held him up till he gained his balance
a split second later. Half way into the
race the pace was similar to a short sprint
race. With just under 20 laps left in
the race, New Zealand took the lead. Perhaps
spurred on by their junior girls achievements
at the Championships to date? The strengths
witnessed last night by the Colombian’s
was again seen here with gold and bronze
being taken by them, with Argentina’s
entire team showing their pleasure of
witnessing their flag being raised in
the position of the silver medal.
Senior
Ladies 10,000m Points/Elimination.
For many years the young lady who took
the gold medal in this race has worked
hard at her training and racing only to
be the bridesmaid, and take other than
the gold medal. Tonight her smile will
stay in place on her face, long after
she has drifted off to sleep. The speed
of the Senior Ladies was so swift as to
make you feel the cold as they rushed
past the crowd. The Italian spectators
appreciated the lead of their skaters,
but it was Colombia’s Alexandra
Vivas who was able to amass sufficient
points to make the entire Colombian delegation
come to their feet and sheer wildly. At
this time, the silver medal has gone to
Kim Hye Mi of South Korea who is resting
in hospital with her team mate after a
post race collision. The Bronze is being
checked for final points, even though
the official presentation has been over
for several hours and the award has been
givin to Colombia.
Senior
Men´s 10,000m Points/Elimination.
The years of experience as a junior man
as well as senior man and World inline cup
Diego showed that these concerns need not
have been, he skater brilliantly, winning
points after points. Diego has been noticeably
missing from the World Championships for
a few years as his WIC commitments have
not allowed him to make the Colombian selections.
Truly many people thought it was not a real
world championship with out Rosero and several
of the other WIC skaters who were also unable
to attend. The night was complete after
Rosero took the gold medal, with Joey Mantia
who will finally take a medal home from
this competition took a well earned silver
medal and Son Geun Seong of South Korea
rounding out for 3rd. |
