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Countdown to Vancouver: Richard MacLennan
It has been a good season for Richard MacLennan thus far. At the Canadian Fall World Cup Trials in Richmond last October, the 18-year-old qualified for the alternate spot in the 1000m, and second alternate spot in the 500m, which in the end earned him an actual spot on a World Cup team for the first time after some of the Canadian sprinters decided to skip the World Cups in Berlin and/or Heerenveen. This gave MacLennan the opportunity to skate two 500m’s and a 1000m in Berlin and another 1000m in Heerenveen. After Heerenveen, MacLennan went back home to compete at the Junior World Cup in Calgary, where he raced to some great results, including two Canadian junior records.
By Jolanda Abbes
How do you look back on your first World Cup experiences?
“My first World Cups were a very eye-opening experience. When you skate in Canada, you don’t really get to experience how big of a thing speed skating really is around the world. Fortunately in Berlin I got a chance to skate in the A group for my first World Cup 1000m, and it was a really amazing feeling. I finally got to compare myself with the best skaters in the world on an even playing field, rather than just looking at times from Calgary which are usually faster. Aside from skating I had a really great time with all of the other Canadian skaters. They made my first World Cups a great experience.”
What would you consider to be the highlight and greatest disappointment of the European World Cups?
“The highlight of the World Cups must have been the 1000m I skated in Berlin. I skated in the A division, so the crowd was decently full. It was my first experience of really skating with a crowd, and they were really loud because I was racing a German skater. It ended up coming down to a photo finish in what I would say was one of my best 1000m races this year. Unfortunately I lost by .003 but it was still a great race. The greatest disappointment would have to be my last 1000m. I was expecting to do really well and I ended up slipping a couple of times and not doing the best I could.”
You skated to some great results at the Junior World Cup in Calgary, how do you look back on that weekend?
“I was starting to get a bit tired at that point, being my third weekend of racing, but I knew I had no pressure on myself so I could just go out and skate. The first day of racing was an amazing day for me. I skated a 0.28 second personal best in the 500m (35.07) and a 2.36 second personal best in the 1500m (1:46.19), both Canadian junior records. A very, very good day of racing. The rest of the meet I really started to feel the effects of the recent travel and didn’t skate my best.”
How do you look forward to the rest of the season?
“The rest of the season I want to continue improving. My main focus right now is the Winter World Cup Trials that will start on December 27th. My goal at these trials is to qualify for the Olympics and Winter World Cups. Later on in the season at the Junior World Championships I want to skate well and do my best in all of my distances.”
What would you consider to be your chances of qualifying for the Olympics?
“At this moment I feel as though I have an outside shot. I skated well at the Fall Trials and that gave me the alternate spot in the 1000m and the second alternate spot in the 500m. Although I skated well, I still feel like I can skate better and be in better shape for the Winter Trials, hopefully giving me a spot on the Olympic team.”
What is the one thing/most memorable moment that sticks out for you when you think about the Olympics? 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? Photo credits: DESGphoto/Lars Hagen
“When I think about the Olympics, usually the first thing that comes to mind is the first time I found out what speed skating was, during the Salt Lake City Olympics. I thought it was really cool watching all of the Canadian skaters but I never thought I would try the sport. Two years later I found myself trying it for the first time. It sticks out in my mind because it was the first time I had really paid attention to the Olympics.”
How do you remember the last Olympics, in Torino?
“Torino was a great time for Canadian speed skating. With all of the great performances, it was amazing to watch. I mostly remember watching Clara Hughes’ win in the 5000m and Cindy Klassen dominating the podium for the whole Games.”
Who would you consider to be the greatest Olympic speed skater ever?
“I would have to say that I would consider Eric Heiden. Having heard about his five gold medal performance it just seems like such an amazing feat, something that will never be done again.” 
“With the Olympics at home I think it does put some pressure on performing for the fans. There is such a buildup for it as well that no one wants to perform poorly or come up short in a medal opportunity. The Canadian fans want to see the athletes do well, and I think that would add a little extra pressure. One advantage is that it is familiar training ground for us, so we can be used to the facilities. Also, with the home crowd behind you it really pumps you up to do well.”
Can you describe what the Olympics mean to you?
“The Olympics are basically my ultimate goal with speed skating. If I am fortunate enough to make it there, it would be the most important part of my speed skating career. It would mean that I would finally be realizing my dream of becoming an Olympic speed skater.”
