Don't forget about Groves

Speedskating star's 2nd medal gets lost in shuffle

Last Updated: Monday, February 22, 2010 | 5:02 AM ET

By Brandon Hicks, CBC Sports

Canada's Kristina Groves has two medals at the Games, with a good shot at two more before the Olympics are done. (Jasper Juinen/Getty Images)

After everybody has woken up from the Canada-U.S. hangover — with a dash of Del Bosco sauce added for good measure — on Sunday, they might be asking themselves one question: Wait, we won a medal?

Almost lost among all the heartache Sunday from the hockey rink to the skicross course was the fact Ottawa's Kristina Groves picked up her second medal of the Games, a silver in the women's speedskating 1,500 metres, and is on pace to win four at the Olympics.

Groves clocked in at one minute 57.14 seconds to come away with second spot. It was 25-100ths of a second behind Ireen Wust of the Netherlands, whose blistering final lap was the difference in the competition.

Many are even viewing that as a disappointment, since Canada was ranked 1-2 going into the 1,500 on Sunday. Groves was the favourite to win, and was supposed to be in a duel with fellow Canuck Christine Nesbitt for the gold.

That didn't happen, as Nesbitt wound up sixth, but Groves still gave Canada its third speedskating medal and ninth overall at the Games.

Her latest feat was overshadowed by Canada's 5-3 loss to the U.S. in men's hockey, and Chris Del Bosco's lost medal after crashing right before the final jump in men's skicross.

And as the major story for Canada at the Winter Olympics continues to remain about its top athletes fading under enormous pressure, Groves's run for medals threatens to be lost in the shuffle.

Coming into the Games as one of those top athletes herself, Groves hasn't crashed and burned under the intense pressure.

High hopes

Ranked first in the 1,500 and third in both the 1,000 and the 3,000 heading into the Games, there were high hopes on Groves to deliver some hardware when Vancouver came around.

And she has so far. Groves took bronze in the 3,000 metres last week, and has the inside track on carrying the flag at the closing ceremony, as she's fast becoming the likeliest candidate for Canada's most decorated athlete at the 2010 Games.

But people will point out that Groves has faltered a bit — she was expected to win a medal in the 1,000 (she finished a close fourth) and win gold in the 1,500.

"[Not winning gold] was a little disappointing for sure," said Groves after her 1,500 skate. "I just had maybe too much excitement. But Ireen skated amazing, I'm really happy for her. She's a great competitor."

And yes, Groves was hoping for medals in all five disciplines, matching the record-setting total Cindy Klassen pulled off in 2006.

Still, 2-for-3 ain't that bad, considering what's happening elsewhere. So let's just drop the "Drive for Five" talk down to a more manageable "Drive for Four," with another gold medal possibly looming in the women's team pursuit, where the powerhouse Canadian team is the frontrunner.

Groves will face her most difficult challenge in the 5,000 on Wednesday. She is ranked fourth in the world in that distance this season, and has only hit the podium once on this year's World Cup circuit.

But she has a chance. And already sports two medals under her belt.

Amid all the shouts of disappointment and cries of agony after a less-than-stellar 1½ weeks for Canada at the Games, don't forget about Groves, who still has a shot at a pretty solid haul after everything's said and done.