Nesbitt, Morrison add speedskating titles

Christine Nesbitt claimed the national women's 1,500-metre long-track speedskating title Friday while Denny Morrison won the men's 1,000 and Lucas Makowsky defended his crown in the 5,000 at the Canadian Single Distance Championships in Calgary.

Nesbitt, a winner in all three of her 1,500-metre races on the World Cup circuit this season, posted a time of one minute, 53.48 seconds. The London, Ont., native, who also won the 3,000 on Thursday in Calgary, was over two seconds faster than runner-up Cindy Klassen of Winnipeg.

Brittany Schussler was third and fellow Winnipeg native Shannon Rempel was fourth.

Morrison added the 1,000 to the 1,500 national title he won Thursday with a time of 1:08.29.

"I was hoping to be a bit faster," said Morrison. "But after taking the summer off, I feel there is still a lot of room for improvement for me, and I'm glad to see that.

"I'm excited to race again and keep improving."

Philippe Riopel of Lachenaie, Que., was second in 1:08.51, just ahead of Jamie Gregg of Edmonton in 1:08.63. Tyler Derraugh of Winnipeg, who switched from short-track speed skating last season, posted a personal best of 1:09.02 for fourth place.

Makowsky, a gold medallist in the team pursuit with Morrison and Mathieu Giroux at the Vancouver Olympics, defended his title in the 5,000 with a time of 6:25.81.

Giroux, from Pointe-aux-Trembles, Que., was second in 6:27.10 and Regina's Justin Warsylewicz took third in 6:27.81.

"I wanted a good race for myself," said Makowsky. "I know my potential, and I'm trying to have a strong start and build from there. … It worked well today, but there's still room for improvement.

"I made a lot of technical gains last year, and one of my main objectives this year is to build on those gains and keep improving."