Former Burlington resident Cooper McLeod’s Olympic debut wasn’t what he wanted, finishing 19th of 30 starters in the men’s 1,000-meter speedskating race on Wednesday at the Milano Speed Skating Stadium in Milan, Italy.
McLeod, 24, finished with a time of 1 minute, 9.31 seconds, more than 3 seconds slower than winning U.S. teammate Jordan Stolz, who captured expected gold in smashing the Olympic record with a time of 1:06.28. The mark bettered the record of 1:07.18, set by Dutch skater Gerard van Velde in 2002.
Stolz edged the Netherlands’ Jenning de Boo, who took silver with a time of 1:06.78. Ning Zhongyan of China won bronze in 1:07.34.
American Conor McDermott-Mostowy was ninth in a time of 1:08.48.
McLeod got his start at Burlington’s Skagit Skate, first standing on rollerskates at just 10 months before moving to Kirkland at age 12. Nearly 30 family and friends from Skagit and Whatcom counties have traveled to cheer on McLeod in Italy.
They will get another chance to see him race with Saturday’s 500-meter event set for 8 a.m. PT. The 500-meter is his stronger event, with McLeod winning world championship bronze last year in his career-best result. But he will be a long shot, especially with Stolz in the field. McLeod placed fourth in the same world championship 1,000-meter.
A local watch party is planned for McLeod at the Old Edison in Bow, with doors opening at 7:30 a.m.
Skating in the 13th pair against German up-and-comer Finn Sonnekalb in the race consisting of 2 ½ laps Wednesday, McLeod got off to the fastest start of the day to that point, but began to fade midway through, losing ground to Sonnekalb as the gap grew.
Meri-Jo Borzilleri is a freelance journalist and former 20-year sports reporter.
