Studio City Speedskater Qualifies as Alternate

Charles King of Studio City qualified for an alternate berth on the U.S. Olympic team Saturday, finishing second in the men’s 1,000 meters in the U.S. Olympic short-track speedskating trials.

King finished with 143 points, 40 behind Andy Gabel of Franklin, Wis. Gabel will be the lone U.S. male competitor when short-track speedskating makes its medal debut in this February’s Winter Olympics. King would be the U.S. representative should Gabel become injured before the games.

King won his heat and semifinal and was fourth in the primary final. His brother Keith was fourth overall with 129 points.