Morrison, Christ take gold in 1,500 metres at Canadian championships

CALGARY – Denny Morrison and Kali Christ both won gold in the men’s and women’s 1,500-metre races on Friday at the Canadian single distance long-track speed skating championships.

Morrison captured the gold in a time of one minute 46.02 seconds on the opening day of the competition.

Despite the win, Morrison, a native of Fort St. John, B.C., thought that he could have skated a much better race.

“If this had been a World Cup, my chances of making the podium with that time would have been slim, so I’m kind of disappointed in that respect because I wanted to push myself today,” said Morrison, who won bronze in the even at the Sochi Olympics. “Everyone’s times were a little slower today than they were at the fall trials. It was really tough ice.”

Vincent de Haitre of Cumberland, Ont., won silver while Calgary’s Ted-Jan Bloemen took bronze in the men’s event.

Regina’s Christ won her race in 1:56.00 in what was her season-best time. Ottawa’s Ivanie Blondin and Calgary’s Kate Hanly took the silver and bronze respectively.

“I’m really happy with that race,” said Christ. “It was one of my best executed races so far in terms of race plan and technical things that I wanted to work on, and include in my race.”