But until then, this weekend has given the U.S. skaters a burst of confidence at the World Cup. Chad Hedrick (Spring, TX) continued to dominate the 5000 meters with a gold medal finish in 6:20.29.

In the men’s 500 meters on Friday, Joey Cheek (Greensboro, N.C.) finished 4th in 35.32 while teammates Casey FitzRandolph (Verona, WI) and Tucker Fredricks (Janesville, WI) finished 7th and 8th, respectively in 35.42 and 35.56. Kip Carpenter (Brookfield, WI) finished in a tied 13th place in 35.91.

Cheek continued to skate well in the 1000 meters with a 6th place finish in 1:10.23. FitzRandolph finished 8th (1:10.42) and Nick Pearson (Verona, WI) finished 9th(1:10.57).

The U.S. men’s team pursuit finished second in 3:51.33, giving them a secure berth for participation in the 2006 Olympic Games.

On the ladies’ side, Jennifer Rodriguez (Miami, FL) finished 11th in her first 500 meters in 38.39 and 10th in the second 500 meters in 38.95. She finished 5th in the 1500 meters in 1:59.28.

Catherine Raney (Elm Grove, WI) finished 15th in the 1500 meters in 2:01.50 and teammate Chris Witty (West Allis, WI) finished 17th in 2:02.44.

Raney skated to a 13th place finish in the 3000 meters in 4:13.97.

According to U.S. Speedskating national coach, Ryan Shimabukuro, although the ice was a bit dusty because of recent construction it was still fast and has the possibility of having world records set on it.

RESULTS:
Men’s 500:
1. F. Yu CHN 35.19; 2. K. Lee KOR 35.23; 2. J. Kato JPN 35.23; 4. J. Cheek USA 35.32; 5. J. Wotherspoon CAN 35.39; 6. Y. Oikawa JPN 35.41
Americans: 7. C. FitzRandolph 35.42; 8. T. Fredricks 35.56; 13. K. Carpenter 35.91

Men’s 1000:
1. D. Dorofeyev RUS 1:10.02; 2. Y. Imai JPN 1:10.08; 3. D. Morrison CAN 1:10.13; 4. K. Lee KOR 1:10.16; 5. E. Wennemars NED 1:10.22; 6. J. Cheek USA 1:10.23
Americans: 8. C. FitzRandolph 1:10.42; 9. N. Pearson 1:10.57

Men’s 5000:
1. C. Hedrick USA 6:20.29; 2. E. Ervik NOR 6:23.93; 3. E. Rabris ITA 6:26.27; 4. C. Verheijen NED 6:27.68; 5. S. Kramer NED 6:27.98; 6. A. Dankers CAN 6:28.05

Men’s Team Pursuit:
1. ITA 3:49.57; 2. USA 3:51.33; 3. NOR 3:51.58; 4. JPN 3:53.21; 5. SWE 3:53.56; 6. GER II 3:53.85

Ladies’ 500:
1. M. Wang CHN 38.25; 2. S. Yoshii JPN 38.36; 3. T. Okazaki JPN 38.57; 4. J. Wolf GER 38.67; 5. M. Timmer NED 38.68; 6. C. Simionato ITA 38.69
Americans: 11. J. Rodriguez 38.90

Ladies’ 500 (2):
1. J. Wolf GER 38.64; 2. T. Okawzaki JPN 38.65; 3. C. Simionato ITA 38.77; 4. S. Osuga JPN 38.79; 5. S. Zhang CHN 38.83; 6. S. Lee KOR 38.84
Americans: 10. J. Rodriguez 38.95

Ladies’ 1500:
1. A. Friesinger GER 1:57.32; 2. C. Klassen CAN 1:57.62; 3. R. Groenewold NED 1:58.40; 4. K. Groves CAN 1:58.66; 5. J. Rodriguez USA 1:59.28; 6. P. vanDeutekom NED 1:59.48
Americans: 15. C. Raney 2:01.50; 17. C. Witty 2:02.03

Ladies’ 3000:
1. A. Friesinger GER 4:05.46; 2. C. Klassen CAN 4:05.70; 3. K. Groves CAN 4:08.51; 4. R. Groenewold NED 4:09.48; 5. C. Hughes CAN 4:09.48; 6. C. Pechstein GER 4:10.11
Americans: 13. C. Raney 4:13.97