Friday through Sunday some of the best long track ice speedskaters in the nation competed in the season’s first American Cup. Local stars like Jeff Terwilliger, Melissa Dahlmann, Steven Hartman, Kyle Ronchak, Allie Thunstrom, and Rowdy Larson were joined by nation skaters like Rebekah Bradford-Plath (married to former Twin Cities inliner Eric Plath – pictured between Danny and Ted), Austin Kleba, Tyler Cain, and Bri Bocox. On Friday night, skaters competed under the lights in the first of two 500m events and the 3k (women/some men)/5k (men). Saturday brought the second 500m event and a 1500m. Metric races were followed by the John Rose Open pack meet on Saturday afternoon.
Kyle Ronchak won the men’s first 500m in 38.06, Ethan Cepuran won the men’s 3k in 4.09.26, Alex Zamojski won the men’s 5k in 7.20.08. Rebekah Bradford-Plath edged Allie Thunstrom in the women’s 500 with times of 41.91 to 42.13, Hannah Bosman won the women’s 3k in 4.49.81, Bradford-Plath would also in the 1500m with a time of 2:16. It is difficult to directly compare these outdoor low elevation times to world record times set at high altitude indoor rinks. Top skaters will typically be 2 seconds slower in the 500 outdoors in Roseville versus inside at Salt Lake City.
Click here for photos from Friday night under the lights, and Saturday under the clouds.
Full Results can be found here.
Also competing in Roseville this weekend is former inliner John Sullivan. I was paired against the now 22 year old in a 500m in Salt Lake City in 2013. Back then he skated a 45 second 500 meter, he now holds a personal best of 38.32. He skated a 40.85 on Friday night.
John Sullivan
Best wishes to Randy Plett as he recovers from an injury. Another skater not competing in the event is Ian Baan, a name familiar to many local inliners. Ian crashed while training in Milwaukee and had one of his skate blades strike his other leg resulting in a substantial injury. Best wishes to Ian as he recovers.
Click here for photos from Friday night under the lights, and Saturday under the clouds.
Full Results can be found here.
Here is Melissa Dahlmann’s solid 1500m
Click here for photos from Friday night under the lights, and Saturday under the clouds.
MN Masters Speedskating 