Nesbitt dominates at speedskating nationals

Christine Nesbitt dominated the women's 3,000 metres at the Canadian single distance speedskating championship Thursday in Calgary, winning by almost four seconds over the runner-up.

The 25-year-old from London, Ont., is undefeated on the World Cup circuit in the 1,000 and 1,500 metres so far this season. She demonstrated her talent over three kilometres on home ice at the Olympic Oval.

She posted a time of four minutes 3.49 seconds ahead of Winnipeg's Brittany Schussler in second at 4:07.10. Winnipeg's Cindy Klassen was third in 4:08.38.

"It was really hard at the end," Nesbitt said. "With two and a half laps left to go, I started to count the corners I had left. I couldn't wait for it to be over."

Nesbitt is the reigning Olympic gold medallist in the 1,000 metres.

Denny Morrison of Fort St. John, B.C., took the men's 1,500 metres in 1:44.80. Lucas Makowsky of Regina was .21 seconds behind in second. Mathieu Giroux of Pointe-aux-Trembles, Que., finished third in 1:45.65.

Those three men combined to win Olympic gold in the men's pursuit in February at the Richmond Oval.

The Canadian championship determines which speedskaters represent their country at the remaining World Cups this season, the world sprint championships later this month in Heerenveen, Netherlands and the world all-around championships Feb. 12-13 in Calgary.

The competition continues Thursday with the women's 1,500 metres and the men's 1,000 and 5,000 metres.