Medal machine revs up

Groves' bronze in 3,000 should open floodgates for Canada's speedskaters

By: Ed Tait Posted: 1:00 AM CST Monday, Feb. 15, 2010

RICHMOND, B.C. -- The medal machine that is Canada's Olympic speedskating team has cranked out its first podium result.

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RICHMOND, B.C. -- The medal machine that is Canada's Olympic speedskating team has cranked out its first podium result.

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This article was published 15/02/2010 (5706 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

RICHMOND, B.C. — The medal machine that is Canada’s Olympic speedskating team has cranked out its first podium result.

Ottawa’s Kristina Groves captured the bronze medal in the women’s 3,000 metres — not considered one of her strongest events — with a gusty effort in front of a decidedly pro-Canadian crowd Sunday afternoon at the Richmond Olympic Oval.

"Sitting there with one pair to go I really thought, ‘Well, I’m going to be fourth or fifth,’" said Groves. "I was super shocked and surprised when my time stood up and it was actually a real cool feeling to go from fourth or fifth in my mind to bronze. It felt great.

PHIL.HOSSACK@FREEPRESS.MB.CA
Ottawa’s Kristina Groves rounds a corner on her way to a third-place finish in the 3,000 metres at the Richmond Olympic Oval on Sunday. — PHIL.HOSSACK@FREEPRESS.MB.CA Ottawa’s Kristina Groves rounds a corner on her way to a third-place finish in the 3,000 metres at the Richmond Olympic Oval on Sunday.

"I had the best race I could have today. I feel really good about how I skated and this was more than I expected. There were six, seven, eight girls that I thought could have been on the podium today."

Martina Sablikova of the Czech Republic captured the gold medal with a time of 4:02.53 with Germany’s Stephanie Beckert second at 4:04.62 and Groves third at 4:04.84.

Winnipeg’s Clara Hughes was fifth at 4:06.01 while Cindy Klassen, the pride of East Kildonan and world record holder in the event (3:53.34) was 14th.

Groves’ performance had the Canadians beaming.

This is the same crew that churned out eight of Canada’s 24 medals four years ago in Turin and is expected to at least match that on home ice.

As well, the 3,000 metres wasn’t considered to be one of Canada’s best shots for a medal. Groves’ specialties, the 1,500 and 1,000 metres, come later in the competition and the 33-year-old will skate in five events overall.

"This is the beginning for our team," said Hughes. "This is setting the tone for our team. There’s a lot of good to come."

All three Canadian skaters raved about the partisan crowd in Richmond and believe that in a sport where podium trips are often decided by a hundredth of second it could be a monumental advantage.

"When I was sitting to put my skates on Cindy was just starting her race," said Groves. "They announced her pair and they announced her and it just gave me goose bumps just listening to the crowd. I’ve never really experience that crowd that loud for Canada. I mean, I’ve raced in places where it’s been that loud, but never for Canada. I mean, it was deafening, just deafening. They were wonderful.

"If this helps the team get some good spirit and extra motivation, I’m really happy to do that. It’s a good start for our team. We have an incredibly strong team and lots of good races and good racers coming up."

ed.tait@freepress.mb.ca