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10K gives Parra one more chance to win a 3rd medal
By Jay Evensen
Deseret News Olympic specialist
Derek Parra, the electrifying U.S. long-track speedskater who shocked the experts by winning a silver medal in the men's 5,000 meters and then won gold in the 1,500, gets one more chance to add to his medal collection Friday in the grueling 10,000 meters. Racing begins at noon at the Utah Olympic Oval in Kearns.
But Parra will have to get by the Dutch, who typically dominate the longer distances. Jochem Uytdehaage, who took silver when Parra won gold, and who won the gold when Parra won silver, is in this race, as well. But he isn't even favored among his own teammates.
The world record in this event belongs to Holland's Gianni Romme. He did the 25 laps in 13:03.40 back in November 2000 in the Netherlands. He is considered the toughest competitor, followed closely by fellow Dutchman Bob de Jong. They are ranked first and second, respectively, in World Cup competition this season. They also won the gold and silver, respectively, in Nagano four years ago.
To put it in some perspective, Parra's personal best time is 13:45.01. But Parra, who is motivated by having his wife and family on hand, has been skating his best at these Games.
"The 10K is a completely different race," he said after winning the 1,500 meters. "I'm going to skate it and try to skate technically well and just enjoy these Olympics."
Germany's Frank Dittrich also is considered a strong contender, as is Norway's Lasse Saetre, Canada's Dustin Molicki and Poland's Pawl Zygmunt. But expect the orange-clad fans from Holland to be out in force to cheer on their heroes. Holland, a nation that stages skating marathons, reveres long-distance speedskating.
The other U.S. skater in this race is Jason Hedstrand, a 26-year-old first-time Olympian from Shoreview, Minn.
E-MAIL: even@desnews.com
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February 21, 2002
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