(Notice the skater closest to the white line...somehow he hits the yellow button pylon and is on his way down. I wonder how many others went with him? Many coaches and skaters are talking about the danger if you hit one and the crashes these have caused. I know I wouldn't want to be behind this guy!!-Photo Courtesy of USA Parent DUANE GALBRAITH)
(THIS JUST IN... I just spoke to Josh and we discussed what he felt was the problem with these cones. As I said before, we use these all of the time and I couldn't understand why all of a "sudden" they were a problem. He said that when 60 skaters went by as fast as they were going, it would cause the button pylons to "lift up and hover and then move them out onto the track". Now that made sense. So for all of you out there wondering like me... this makes a lot of sense!)
It seems like a lifetime.... actually it has been for Josh. It took him 14 years of skating speed to earn his first individual World medal. This has been his primary goal for the last three World Championships. He has three other World Medals that he cherishes very much.... they are GOLD, but they are all in relays. He has wanted to prove that he could do it on his own for a very long time. Today he did.
Josh is no different than any other competitior out there. They love to skate. They have a dream. They have given up a lot of traditional things in life to have the opportunity to achieve their dream. And there are no guarantees. More times than not, the athlete will come close, but very few skaters will experience the exhilaration of completing their dream and standing on the podium. That's what makes this so special.
Of course Josh would have loved to have had a GOLD medal today. Who wouldn't? But if the truth be told, he will sleep with his medal very close to him tonight and dream of standing on the podium two-steps higher for one of his races on road. I saw him look over a Cifuentes as he received his jersey during the awards ceremony and while Josh was not smiling, he was not angry. He was an athlete who was observing the highest honor bestowed on a World Champion... the Jersey! This year's Jersey is beautiful and while I haven't had the opportunity to see one up close, they are by far the nicest I have ever seen.
Obviously today I was able to see the live feed. This time I missed the Junior Races. My live feed kicked in as the World Class Ladies took the starting line for the 1000-meter final. To watch Britt jump out front and then look back, that told me that it was Sara's race to win, even before they came out of the first turn. Brittany allows two skaters in front of her and that's where Sara moves up in front of Britt. Through the next turn, Sara allows Brittany to take the 3 spot so that Sara is well protected and in a great draft. Sara will wait for Brittany to step out and Sara will follow. Like a Ballet that has been practiced over and over... with no words spoken, no looks of acknowledgment, Britt steps to the right with Sara in tow. Around the other two skaters they go, stroke for stroke, through turn one Britt is leading out onto the straightaway when she feels comfortable, Britt slightly moves over and in behind Sara like a Mother Hen. The two girls pull away... and away.... as Sara crosses the finish line first, her smile is almost larger than she is. Brittany stops skating well before the line and easily finishes second. What a race!!!!! This will be one for the books. One of those races that coaches use to TEACH skaters how to work together. It was a WOW race, no doubt about it!!!
Congratulations girls and to Erin Jackson-3rd and Mariah Richardson-2nd in the 500-meter. To Keith Carroll... bud we are so proud of you making the final in the 500-meter. I am sorry that you finished 4th and that I didn't get to see you race..... but Keith, there are so many of us pulling for you that I KNOW you will do it!! Hang in there!!!
Tomorrow is a day of rest.... well until it's practice time at the road course. I know Team USA will want to sleep in..... hopefully they will get to!! It will just depend on what time they have USA practicing. Joey and Michael... I hope you guys are feeling better. I am thinking of all of you! Good luck.
Linda Wood
