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Voelker, Doan to face off in 1,000 meters today
KEARNS — Germany's Sabine Voelker has it; Canada's Catriona Le May Doan wants it.
The world record in the ladies' 1,000 meters belongs to Voelker, and Le May Doan may have to break it if she wants a second gold medal in these Games.
Voelker's time, 1 minute, 14.06 seconds, was set last December at the Utah Olympic Oval. The German long-track skater is now favored to win today's competition, which begins at 5:15 p.m.
After winning a bronze in the 500 Thursday, Voelker said of the 1,000, "It's my favorite race. But the problem is that if you are the favorite, you are under a lot of pressure. I hope that I won't be too nervous then."
Le May Doan is relaxed, however, after setting an Olympic record and winning a gold in the 500 meters, her strongest event — she is currently ranked third in the 2001-02 World Cup 1,000-meter standings.
"I can probably pick 12 women who would be on the podium, and I believe I am one of them," Le May Doan said. "The 500 meters was my ultimate goal."
From that group of 12, a few U.S. hopefuls include Jennifer Rodriguez and Chris Witty. Though the 1,500 has typically been the event where Rodriguez shines, she's still a threat in the 1,000. Witty grabbed a silver in 1,000 during the 1998 Nagano Olympics but as of late has been battling mononucleosis. Other U.S. entrants include Becky Sundstrom and Amy Sannes.
Germany's Monique Garbrecht-Endfeldt skated to a sliver in Thursday's 500 and has a personal best in the 1,000 that's just off world-record pace.
The Dutch are placing their hopes in Annamarie Thomas and Marianne Timmer, who holds the Olympic record with her gold-medal performance in Nagano.
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February 17, 2002
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