Short Track Speedskating Wow!

Back to Olympic action Monday. Our arena was located well south of the inner core of Milano. Watching it live is exciting. It feels like old fashioned roller derby combined with traditional speed skating. We saw lots of action. Multiple collisions at speeds up to 35mph. They are flying. When the race is about to begin, the loud speaker comes on and sez SHOOSH! Then they go. The track course also shifts after each race so they are not skaton the previous race ice ruts. The crashes are sometimes like a bowling pin taking out the pins. The skate blades are about 17 inches long.and contestants try to protect themselves w neck guards, face shield and just put their hands over their face when they crash. We saw about 24 races at varying lengths including relay races that were about 45 laps. The US didn't fare well. Norwegians were well represented as were the Italians. Norway pop is about the same as MN but are rocking the Olympic medal count.
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