Louisa Wall: US teamwork is skating on thin ice

I've been watching a bit of the Winter Olympics from Italy - but I confess, not much.

Our team seems to be doing okay and we've got to appreciate that 18 proud Kiwis have been flying the New Zealand flag.

It was enjoyable to watch the competition between American speed skaters Shani Davis and Chad Hedrick, both gold medallists at these Games, as they fought to be crowned winner of the 1500m.

Davis, the first African-American to win an individual gold medal at the Winter Games, won the 1000m last week against a field that included Hedrick, who came sixth. Hedrick by that stage of the competition had won the 5000m with a dominating performance and Davis came seventh.

What is interesting is that Davis won the 1000m after deciding not to compete in the team pursuit. The team was expected to win a medal with Davis (and didn't come close without him) but Davis was reported to have said that he had to get ready for the 1000m and his teammates had not helped him get to the Olympics.

So, Davis put himself before the United States team. Is that such a bad thing in speed skating - or any sport for that matter?

The outcome of the US rivalry in the 1500m was that neither Davis nor Hedrick ended up winning.

Skating in front of an uncompromising and extremely vocal home crowd, Enrico Fabris of Italy won the gold medal (by 0.16s) with Davis second, 0.09s ahead of Chad Hedrick.

This was Fabris' second gold, as he helped Italy win the team pursuit. He also won bronze in the 5000m.

Let's hope the Americans learn some lessons about teamwork and the greater good of sport and representing your country, but somehow I doubt it.

And the same can be said of the Black Caps, given coach John Bracewell's philosophies and policies as he strives to prepare a team - of individuals, yes, but a team where any of his players, when called upon, can do the job for their sport and country.

The most recent example of his approach is employing an American to teach the basic skills of catching and fielding, but in a new way. It is great that former professional baseball player and coach Mike Young has been helping the Black Caps.

This touch of innovation should keep the players engaged and focused on the 2007 World Cup. If not, then Bracewell's rotation policy surely will.

The dream is of winning the World Cup that will be held in the West Indies beginning March 13 at Sabina Park, Jamaica and ending with the final on April 28, at Kensington Oval, Barbados.

The West Indies won the inaugural World Cup in 1975, beating Australia by 17 runs. They won again in 1979, and were finalists in 1983.

New Zealand are in pool three, based in St Lucia with England and Kenya, and are currently ranked third behind Australia and South Africa.

On those ICC standings, making the final and becoming world champions is a distinct possibility.

Bracewell believes this and so his rotation policy is aimed at preparing a team to win. We can't rely on individuals because if one or two get injured we crumble under the pressure.

So, the best way to build such a team is to share the game time, increase competition and the hunger and passion to perform.

Unlike Davis, hopefully our boys have helped and are helping each other to get ready for this challenge.

Therefore, sitting on the bench or carrying the drinks is something they don't mind doing. It's nothing personal, just part of the master plan.