Hedrick prevents a sweep

WEST ALLIS, Wis. — Chad Hedrick won the 10,000 meters Sunday, preventing Canadian skaters from winning all eight speedskating events in regional qualifying for next month's World Allround Championships.

Hedrick won in 13 minutes, 55.40 seconds at the Pettit National Ice Center. Steven Elm won the 1,500 in 1:49.24. Kristina Groves won the women's 1,500 (1:57.55) and Clara Hughes won the 5,000 (7:04.08).

Canadians won seven races during the two days of North American/Oceania regional qualifying for the championships on Feb. 9-11 in Heerenveen, Netherlands.

"They kicked our butts all weekend," said Hedrick, who won gold, silver, and bronze medals at the 2006 Winter Olympics.

Six spots were available for men and women. Three skaters pre-qualified, including World Allround champion Shani Davis and Canadians Cindy Klassen and Denny Morrison.

Davis will be joined by Hedrick in Heerenveen, along with Arnie Dankers, Justin Warsylewicz, Elm and Morrison. American skaters Catherine Raney and Maria Lamb qualified along with Canadians Christine Nesbitt, Klassen, Groves and Hughes.

Hedrick, who took several months off after his Olympic success, has struggled in World Cup competition.

"I've been skating miles and miles every week right now," Hedrick said. "I just have to polish up on small things."