Daughter of Olympic star off to good start; Elli Ochowicz wins 500 meters at US trials

Ochowicz wins 500 meters at US speedskating trials

MILWAUKEE — Elli Ochowicz has seen her mother’s Olympic medals. She’d like one of her own.

The daughter of three-time Olympic medalist Sheila Young Ochowicz got off to a good start in her bid to qualify for a third Winter Games, winning the women’s 500 meters at the U.S. speedskating trials Wednesday night.

The 25-year-old Ochowicz had the fastest time in both trips around the Pettit National Ice Center, going 39.34 seconds in the opening round and locking her win with a time of 38.81 for a total of 1 minute, 18.15 seconds.

“This is about the fastest I’ve ever raced here. I’m actually quite surprised,” she said. “That second 500 felt flawless. I can’t pick anything out that I did wrong.”

Heather Richardson, a relative newcomer to the sport from North Carolina, was second with a combined time of 1:18.73. Two-time Olympic medalist Jennifer Rodriguez was third at 1:19.09.

These trials are actually for spots on the World Cup team, but it’s a big step toward earning a trip to Vancouver. World Cup results will be used to determine the American team for the Olympics.

Ochowicz’s mother is one of the great skaters in U.S. history. At the 1976 Olympics in Innsbruck, she won a gold in the 500, a silver in the 1,500 and a bronze in the 1,000.

Her daughter made the U.S. team at the last two Olympics, but she’s yet to match her mother’s success on the biggest stage.

“A medal is definitely in the back of my mind,” Ochowicz said. “I’ve been an Olympian. I want a medal.”

The 33-year-old Rodriguez already has her medals — two bronzes from Salt Lake City — and she retired from the sport after the 2006 Turin Games. She stayed away for two years, then got back on the ice at a rink in her native Miami.

Right then, she knew just how bad she missed it.

“I’m really glad I’m here,” said Rodriguez, one of the pioneers of the inline-to-ice movement and a three-time Olympian. “I don’t know what to expect at the Olympics. I keep getting better, keep getting better, but I don’t know where I’ll be in February.”

Richardson is one of those who followed Rodriguez’s path. The 20-year-old from High Point, N.C., traded wheels for blades in 2007 and has quickly become one of the top American women on ice.

“It’s happened very quick. It’s not what I expected,” Richardson said. “I came over to try for 2014. To have a chance for 2010 is just awesome.”

On the men’s side, Tucker Fredricks led after the first round of the 500 with a time of 35.20. Shani Davis, who won gold and silver medals at Turin, finished third in 35.70, just behind Brent Aussprung (35.65).

Davis’ best events are the 1,000 and 1,500, but he’s improved at the all-out sprint and hasn’t ruled out trying to earn a spot in the shortest race at Vancouver.