Nesbitt’s ninth-place finish ‘not good enough’
SOCHI, Russia
F our years ago in Vancouver, Christine Nesbitt won the gold medal in the women’s speedskating 1,000 metres and pronounced she was unhappy with her performance.
Four years later, she wasn’t any happier with the way she skated. And this time there’s no gold to make it feel better.
“It’s quite disappointing,” Nesbitt said of her ninth-place finish at the Adler speedskating oval.
“I had a really good first 600 metres, but I died a huge amount for me and that’s usually where I make up my time. It’s been such a crappy season, excuse my language, and every time I feel like I’m getting better, something’s happened or I haven’t quite figured something out.
“Today was the best 1,000 I’ve had all season. I’m happy with that and I’m happy to do it at the Olympics. As much as I haven’t won an individual medal this season, I do believe I’m one of the best girls and I should be able to contend for a medal.”
Nesbitt was asked what she thought when she looked at her time on Thursday.
“That’s not good enough,” she said.
Nesbitt, in fact, finished a full 1.6 seconds behind gold medallist Hong Zhang of China, whom she drew in her pair. Skating in just the seventh duo of the program, Zhang laid down a time of 1:14.02, which held up through 11 more pairs.
The gold medal was the first for China in speedskating. Zhang had never finished higher than second in a World Cup event.
“That,” said Canada’s Kaylin Irvine, “was a crazy fast time.”
Nesbitt’s own time held up as the second fastest with just five pairs to go. But she would be passed by seven other skaters and drop to ninth.
Ireen Wüst of the Netherlands took the silver and compatriot Margot Boer took the bronze. The Dutch juggernaut has now produced 12 speedskating medals, including four gold.
They’ve yet to win a medal in any other event, but they still stand second in the medals table.
Nesbitt was asked about what she’d take into the 1,500 on Sunday.
“Just nothing to lose. I already have an Olympic gold medal. Of course, I’d love to repeat. I’d love to bring home more medals, but no one can take away that medal.
“I’ve been a clean athlete my whole life. I’ve been someone who has striven to be the best I can. I’m really proud of myself but it was a hard race today.”