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Speed Skaters aiming for control in Calgary

 

Speed Skaters aiming for control in Calgary

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AOC
Speed Skaters aiming for control in Calgary
Keeping calm and in control are the key goals for the Australian Speed Skaters who are in Calgary for the third World Cup of the season this weekend.

SPEED SKATING: Keeping calm and in control are the key goals for the Australian Speed Skaters who are in Calgary for the third World Cup of the season this weekend.

Now that the skaters are over the half way mark in the Olympic qualification season, Daniel Greig and Josh Capponi are focusing on the elements they have power over.

“During the next two weeks you either go fast enough compared to the rest of the world, or not,” Australian Speed Skating coach Desley Hill said.

“We are doing everything for it and will give our best. We try really hard not to focus on what we can not control (results) and just get busy on tasks at hand: doing our best at skating fast.

“Every team feels the same [pressure], everyone knows it's time to go for it. The atmosphere is intense but also fun!”

Sochi Olympian Greig is no stranger to this atmosphere. As Australia’s sole Speed Skater in 2014 he has learnt not to let the external factors such as the crowd and his competitors affect his performance.

However one element that’s a bit trickier to control is his susceptibility to ailment.

The 26-year-old is still trying to recover from the illness that impacted his Stanvenger World Cup last week where he was confined to only compete in the 500m event.

“He has just come good in the last couple of days,” Hill said regarding Greig’s health.

Greig aims to line up in the 500m and 1000m events in Canada, while his Aussie compatriot Capponi tackles the long distance events; the 5000m and Mass Start.

22-year-old Capponi has been making steady improvements this season as he works towards qualifying for his debut Games at PyeongChang.

“Josh is doing really well, especially with the 5k competition being crazy tough,” Hill said. “I expect the world record will get broken this weekend.

“He has been busy improving best he can and all is going pretty well. Last night we had a nice mass start training with the Kiwi and Swiss team so that was nice prep.”

The Calgary World Cup runs 1-3 December. Follow the results HERE.

Georgia Thompson
olympics.com.au

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