U.S. Speedskating Trials Start From Scratch

Everyone is starting from scratch at the U.S. Olympic speedskating trials.

It doesn't matter if you're two-time gold medalist Shani Davis or an obscure long shot — you have to earn your way onto the American team for Sochi.

U.S. Speedskating officials are hoping the new format will spark more interest in the trials, which begin Friday at the Olympic oval in Kearns, Utah, a suburb of Salt Lake City.

For the athletes and coaches, it raises the anxiety level.

Unlike previous Olympic cycles, the World Cup meets merely determined how many spots a country got in each event. The trials will decide which U.S. skaters actually fill those spots.

The long-track meet will be held over five days, followed immediately by the short track trials at the same facility.