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After becoming a regular member of the Canadian Team Pursuit team, managing a good progression in the longer distances, and skating the 5000m at the World Single Distances Championships in Richmond, Jay Morrison can look back on a successful past season. And even though he may not have been completely happy with the way he skated some of his 1500m’s, Morrison is confidently looking forward to the upcoming season, during which he hopes to qualify for the Olympic Games in Vancouver.

By Jolanda Abbes

How do you look back on this past season? Did you meet your goals and expectations, and would you consider your past season to be a good blueprint for the upcoming one?

“The past season was a success in my mind. I performed well when it mattered, for the most part. I was happy with the way I progressed in the longer distances but would really have liked to race more 1500m's than I got to.”

What would you consider to be the highlight and greatest disappointment of the past season?

“The highlight was my competition in Erfurt. I raced a really good 5000m there, which ended up qualifying me for the World Single Distances Championships in Richmond. Additionally, we raced a really good Team Pursuit in Erfurt. I had a great week leading up to that competition, too. I really love the town of Erfurt. I guess that the biggest disappointment of the past season were my 1500m races at fall trials, winter trials and then in Heerenveen. I think that it had a lot to do with not racing the 1500m enough times with really long breaks between each one. It was almost like I would forget how to race it.”

How do you look forward to next season?

“I am just concentrating right now on preparing myself as best as I can for the upcoming year. Mentally and physically I am aiming to become stronger and look forward to seeing how it will unfold during race time.”

What is the one thing/most memorable moment that sticks out for you when you think of the Olympics?

“There are many great Olympic moments for me. Most recently it was watching Simon Whitfield claw his way through the triathlon to win a medal in Beijing. Just when you thought he was spent, he would somehow find it within himself and get back up to the field. It was not only very exciting but also very inspiring!”

Who would you consider to be the greatest Olympic speed skater ever?

“This is a hard question to answer, but Koss sure does come to mind.”

How do you look forward to the fact that the Olympics will practically be in your own backyard next year? Does that fact create extra pressure or do you think it will give the Canadian athletes a significant home advantage?

“I approach each race the same and look to do my best each day for that day. That will not change regardless of the competition or where it is. I do love to be in Vancouver though, competing at home always feels good because everything is so familiar.”

Photo credits: DESGphoto/Lars Hagen