December 22 , 2001
Cansport

Speed Skaters Smash Records At Olympic Trials

CALGARY — Cindy Klassen of Winnipeg became only the third woman in the world to break the seven-minute barrier in the women’s 5,000 metres Friday at the Canadian single distance long track speed skating championships and Olympic trials.

Klassen won the 5,000 race in a blistering 6:59.24 to demolish the previous Canadian mark of 7:10.52 set last season by Kristina Groves of Ottawa. Clara Hughes of Winnipeg skated the fourth fastest time ever with an eye-popping 7:00.10 while Groves was third in 7:05.23.

"I was very surprised with the time," said Klassen, who has also qualified for the Games in the 1,000, 1,500 and 3,000. "I’ve never been that strong in this event because my shins usually start to flare up on me. But today I was much more comfortable."

Hughes, a bronze medal winner in cycling at the 1996 Olympics, continued her astonishing rise in speed skating since switching sports after the 2000 Summer Games in Sydney. In Salt Lake she will become one of the few Canadian athletes to compete in both a Summer and Winter Games.

"When our opposition in Europe see these times they’re going to go ‘Oh my God’," said Hughes. "I mean this is our Olympic trials. I can’t believe this has happened this early. My race felt so good that I know I can go faster. My goal is to peak for the Olympics."

Next week a second set of trials will be held at the Canada Cup meet in Calgary.

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