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‘Fatigue’ catches up to Canmore’s Howe in speed skating duel

“I got away with a solid 1500-m last week but think it caught up with me more this weekend.”

TOMASZÓW, Poland – Connor Howe ran out of gas in the big showdown for the world cup trophy.

It came down to one race for Crystal Globe to determine the best man overall in 1,500-metre long track and a hefty payday between the Canmore speed skater and Olympic champion, Kjeld Nuis of the Netherlands.

The pair needed to out-duel each other at the ISU speed skating world cup last Friday (Feb. 17) in Tomaszow, Poland, as only a mere five points separated first-place Howe and second-place Nuis at the start of the world cup. However, the end result favoured the Dutchman following Howe’s slowest 1,500-m race of the season.

“I think I was physically tired and not able to build speed these past two weekends,” said Howe, a Beijing Olympian.

“My coaches and I have been looking back at the training load and comparing it to the fall World Cups, where I was skating my best races yet. It seems like I haven’t gotten over the fatigue from the heavier training yet. I got away with a solid 1500-m last week but think it caught up with me more this weekend.”

Nuis, 33, clocked in at 1:46.16 to take silver in Tomaszow. The podium finish was more than good enough to clench the world cup trophy and $20,000 USD ($26,665.30 CAD).

“That means a lot to me,” said Nuis in a media release. “I’ve been on the podium every time I raced. Missed out the first one, and then a bronze, two silvers and two golds.”

The Beijing gold medallist clocked in nearly two seconds faster on Friday than Howe, who finished a season-worst 14th in his specialty race.

Going head-to-head with China’s Zhongyan Ning, the local long track specialist lost in the pairing and finished at 1:48.36 – outside of the top-10 in the race for the first time this season.

However, after a very strong season, especially to start off, that saw Howe claim his first-ever gold medal in the 1,500-m, the 22-year-old Canmorite cruised into second overall, earning $13,000 USD ($17,332.25 CAD).

It’s a feat Howe has taken in back-to-back seasons.

“I am happy with second overall for the second year,” said Howe. “It helps my confidence knowing I can skate fast consistently, keeping it going from last season.”

Up next, Howe has two weeks to recover and prepare for ISU Speed Skating World Championships from March 2-5 in Heerenveen, The Netherlands.

It was on this fast track in November that the Canuck won world cup gold.

“The next two weeks will be easier training and trusting the work that’s already been done so that I can hopefully skate at my best again,” Howe said.


Jordan Small

About the Author: Jordan Small

An award-winning reporter, Jordan Small has covered sports, the arts, and news in the Bow Valley since 2014. Originally from Barrie, Ont., Jordan has lived in Alberta since 2013.
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