Two Americans lead at WC speedskating

[Dutchy]

Former inline skater Chad Hedrick and Shani Davis gave the United States a 1-2 overall points lead Saturday after the first two men's races at the World Allround Speedskating Championships.

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/ap/20040207/ap_on_sp_ot/speedskating_worlds_1

This is a major upset. We figured we would become 1, 2, 3 and 4, easily, but now we actually have to compete. I think we still have a shot at become 1 and/or 2, but it's very interesting and surprising.

Not that anyone here cares, I take it, but still. I'm excited about this. :)

[JMK]

I don't mind speedskating, but generally I can't get into sports where .01 seconds behind the winner means you tumble into obscurity while the guy that beat you by the length of a fingernail gets all the love. I know I know, finding out who's the best of the best, but to me .01 seconds is a totally insignificant amount of time.

[Sanis Prent]

Its better than figure skating

[Ryan Pode]

Its still ice skating though.

[Sanis Prent]

Yes, but its actually a competition, as opposed to some kind of qualitative event that was obviously invented by women, and thus inferior.

[CMJ]

Speed Skating is actually a frickin' cool sport. I'd watch it on TV if it came on more than once a year(they usually have coverage of the WC, but sometimes it doesn't even get that much coverage).

Much like Track, it's unfortunately relegatedto obscurity in Non-Olympic years.

[Dutchy]

Shani Davis is in the lead now. He won the 3rd distance!

One distance to go. This tournament is more exciting than the last 10 combined. :)

[Dutchy]

Chad Hedrick becomes the new world champion. Shani Davis is runner up.

Amazing.

On the other hand: Holland won the women tournament, for the first time in 30 years.

[Dutchy]

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/ap/20040208/ap_on_sp_ot/speedskating_worlds_3