Speedskating Records Fall, But Not By U.S.

Even with a “home-ice” advantage, no U.S. skater came close to winning any of the four races in a two-day World Cup All-round meet.

Still, coach Gerard Kemkers said he sees improvement in his team.

“I think we are starting to prove we are moving ahead,” he said Sunday after the final race at the Pettit National Ice Center, the home rink for American speedskaters.

“We have shown that we have potential … and we are making some steps ahead.”

On Sunday, Mie Shimizu of Japan won the women’s 1,500-meter race and Rintje Ritsma of the Netherlands took the men’s 5,000.

Skaters from other countries not only won but also set track records in each event to show their dominance in the longer races.

The only American with a decent finish was KC Boutiette of Tacoma, who finished third Saturday in the men’s 1,500.

Kemkers, who won a bronze in the 5,000 for the Netherlands in 1988, said he started from scratch with the Americans and is attempting to build an all-around team which competes in the longer races up to 10,000 meters.

“We saw some individuals make a big step forward (during the weekend). Now they have to live up to it. We have brought some attention to the all-round team and what they can do,” he said.

Many of the American skaters shaved a second or two off personal bests in events and some got their first taste of top international competition.

Among them was 15-year-old Kirstin Holum, daughter of Olympic gold medalist Dianne Holum. Kirstin skated Saturday in a women’s 3,000-meter race to gain valuable experience.

Shimizu’s time of 2 minutes, 3.60 seconds beat the women’s 1,500 Pettit Center record of 2:04.85, set in 1994 by Bonnie Blair, who won more medals than any other U.S. woman athlete in either the winter or summer Olympics.

Blair, who retired after last season, was on hand to see her record fall because she was a presenter in the award ceremonies.

Gunda Niemann of Germany, who a day earlier set a track record in winning the 3,000-meter race, finished second in 2:03.99. Annamarie Thomas of the Netherlands was third in 2:04.68.