news-record.com

VANCOUVER, British Columbia — U.S. speedskating legend Bonnie Blair says High Point's Heather Richardson is "one of the skaters for the U.S. team that's on that up-and-coming rise" after she finished sixth Tuesday in the 500 meters.

Richardson will compete at 4 p.m. today in the 1,000, which she believes is her best event. Canada's Christine Nesbitt is the favorite.

Blair, who won a gold medal in the 1,000 in 1992 and 1994, says the race's different format, where skaters only get one chance to lay down their best time over 2.5 laps, should suit Richardson.

"For the most part, the skaters are used to having just having one race, like in the 1,000," said Blair, a five-time gold medalist. "They don't actually do the 500 back-to-back on the same day very often. So actually, she's going to be a little bit more prepared."

After Richardson posted her best international result in the 500, Blair believes she should be able to ride that wave of excitement.

"One of the keys for the 1,000 is you want to be able to get up to speed quickly ... and then you want to be able to maintain that," Blair said. "She's a good, strong skater and I think if she uses that adrenaline coming off the success she had in the 500, she could have another great race in the 1,000."