KEARNS, Utah (AP) — Former Olympic champion Derek Parra sounded like a concerned father as he cued up the old 8 millimeter videocassettes of then-17-year-old Heather Richardson making the early transition from inline skating.
Parra says he “literally had to hold her hand and take her around the rink” back in 2007 at the Utah Olympic Oval.
Four years later, Richardson not only is steady on her feet, she’s No. 1 in the World Cup speedskating rankings at 1,000 meters and could be a favorite to medal at the Sochi Olympics in 2014.
Richardson will take another step toward that goal this weekend when she competes at 1,500 meters in the ISU World Cup long track event at the Utah Olympic Oval.
