Games-Canada deny Chile golden start to Pan Am Games before U.S. takes charge
By Steve Keating
SANTIAGO (Reuters) - Canada denied host Chile a golden start to the Pan American Games on Saturday, sweeping the gold in the cross-country mountain bike events but by the end of Day One it was the United States back in a familiar spot at the top of the medal table.
On a grey chilly morning in the northeast of the Chilean capital, Canada got off to the brightest of starts when Gunnar Holmgren grabbed the first gold of the Games and then an hour later team mate Jenn Jackson added a second, both at the host's expense.
For the first part of the seven-lap race, Holmgren said he stalked the home favourite Martin Kossmann, plotting when to make his move.
That came on lap three when Holmgren powered away from the pack, coming home a comfortable 53 seconds clear of the Chilean.
Motivated by Holmgren's victory, Jackson made it double gold for Canada with an even more dominating effort, crossing nearly three minutes in front of Kossmann's sister Catalina to heap more frustration on the family.
"I just got to the front, set my pace and just tried to have a really calm ride. It was perfect," said Jackson. "It feels like a perfect day.
"There’s just that little bit of (motivation), seeing one of your friends, someone you grew up riding with achieve the best result they could here. It just made me believe it’s my turn."
While the Kossmanns provided a positive start for the hosts with silvers on the medal table to add to the energy generated from Friday's inspiring opening ceremonies, it was not enough to stir the locals into action.
Organisers have boasted that ticket sales for the two-week multi-sport competition have been brisk, but on Day One attendance was sparse around Parque Estadio Nacional, the sprawling main competition hub and venue for 14 events.
Skateboarding has been marked as a sellout, but for the women's street final there were more photographers and media looking on as Olympic silver medallist Rayssa Leal led a Brazilian one-two ahead of twice world champion team mate Pamela Rosa.
The Brazilians were the clear class of the field. Leal was so relaxed that the 15-year-old was spotted checking her mobile phone and appeared to be texting as she waited to drop in.
Much bigger crowds are certain for the Paris Olympics, where another showdown between the Brazilian dynamo nicknamed "Little Fairy" and Japan's gold medal winner Momiji Nishiya will be one of the Games more anticipated events.
"I try not think too much about Paris," Leal told reporters. "This does help me get confidence for Paris,” Leal told journalists. "Today helps me prepare better for next year."
The skateboard street competition was paved in gold for Brazil, with Lucas Rabelo taking top spot in the men's competition.
While it took a few hours for the United States to pop up on the medal table, it was not long until the Pan Am giants had hit their stride, finishing the day with nine gold, including four in the swimming pool and the artistic gymnastics men's team title.
The Americans also grabbed two gold in taekwondo and singles in shooting and sport climbing while adding five silver and six bronze for a first day total of 20.
Mexico also had a productive start but sit well back of the U.S. on six gold and 12 overall.
(Reporting by Steve Keating in Santiago; Editing by Ed Osmond and William Mallard)
