Goldendale, Washington, USA- Strong winds at the Maryhill Festival of Speed today ensured that none of the top qualifiers were able to improve their times. The top 10 qualifiers from Friday retained their positions with most of the skaters posting times that were 3-5 seconds slower than yesterday.
Martin Siegrist retained his number one spot with the 3:08.442 posted on Friday. Today he gambled using some of the special Abec 11 Momo's and could only muster the seventh fastest time with a 3:15.475. Siegrist said, "The combination of the strong winds and the big wheels nearly made me crash three times.
Patrick Switzer from Canada who posted the second fastest time yesterday was the fastest skater of the day with a 3:13.020. His time was 1.61 seconds faster than Kevin Reimer who posted the second fastest run of the day. Switzer showed he is the real deal and has a legitimate shot at winning the World Championship tomorrow. Finishing third today and third overall was Mike Zietsman who turned in a time of 3:14.744. James Kelly was fourth today and will start fifth in tomorrow's race. Rounding out todays top five was K.C. Morrow who will start tomorrows race from the eighth position.
