For our third event of the XXI Winter Olympics, we headed off to Pacific Coliseum to see some short-track speed skating. In addition to short-track, Pacific Coliseum is also the venue used for the figure skating competition.
The first race for our evening of short-track was the Ladies' 500 Meter Quarterfinals. There were a total of four quarterfinal races, each with four skaters. The top two from each quarterfinal advanced to the semifinals. Among those who advanced included three Canadians (to the delight of the crowd), two Chinese, and the American Katherine Reutter.
Ladies' 500 Meter Quarterfinals
Go To The Start
Next up was the Men's 1000 Meter Heats. There were a total of eight heats, each with four skaters. The top two finishers advanced the the quarterfinals. The highlight of these races were to witness American Apolo Anton Ohno skate.
Men's 1000 Meter Heats
Apolo Anton Ohno
Apolo's Amazing Race
Around the Curve
Skeleton Skater (from Australia)
Resurfacing the Ice
After a brief intermission to resurface the ice, it was back to the races. The next race was the Ladies' 500 Meter Semifinals. Two groups of four skaters raced. The crowd went absolutely wild for the two Canadian skaters who qualified for the finals.
Ladies' 500 Meter Semifinals
Rebecca, Miga, Josh and Quatchi Cheer On the Athletes
The next races were the most bizarre to watch: it was the Men's 5000 Meter Relay Semifinals. Each relay team consists of four racers. Each race has four teams with the top two teams advancing. The first semifinal race consisted of the teams from the United States (including Apolo again), Korea, France and Italy. Korea and the US finished one and two and the French team was advanced because the Italians tripped them up. The Italians were disqualified. In the second semifinal race, China and Canada qualified, leaving Germany and Great Britain behind on the ice. The Men's 5000 Meter Relay is like roller derby on ice!
And They Are Off!
Push!
Roller Derby on Ice
The last race of the night was the Ladies' 500 Meter Finals. The last heat consisted of two Canadians, a Chinese, and an Italian skater. The crowd was loud throughout the race cheering on their fellow patriots. Alas, no one could touch Meng Wang, the Chinese skater, who was the defending gold medalist. She skated an amazing race. Canadian Marianne St.-Gerlais took the silver, and the bronze went to Arianna Fontana of Italy.
Gold Medalist Meng Wang of China
Silver Medalist Marianne St.-Gerlais of Canada
The Flower Ceremony for the Race Winners
All in all, it was an exciting night at short-track. The capacity crowd left satisfied that a Canadian won a silver medal.
Pacific Coliseum at Night
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