Dynamically Choosing Connection --please Help

 i have to store some data on a remote sever(MS SQL SERVER2000). The scenario is like
1. The web application runs on a local machine. User (who inputs) uses through LAN.
2. The Input should  be stored in the remote server. if the remote connection is ok. otherwise it should be saved in local server's database(MS SQL 2000).

3.  In the application's web.config  there is a connection string pointing to the remote server and another one (alternating one) points the local server's database.
 
in scenario like this i first  to tested the remote connection. if it is not ok  then i initialize the local server's connection like this
private MyConnection()
    {
            
            try
            {
                connectionSql = new SqlConnection(ConfigurationManager.ConnectionStrings["ConnForRemote"].ToString());
                connectionSql.Open();
            }
            catch (Exception ex)
            {
                connectionSql = new SqlConnection(ConfigurationManager.ConnectionStrings["ConnForLocal"].ToString());
            }
            finally
            {
                connectionSql.Close();
            }
        connectionSql2 = new SqlConnection(ConfigurationManager.ConnectionStrings["Temp"].ToString());
              
    }
My problem is when the remote connection is lost it takes almost 1 minute to store in local database. how can i make it more time efficient. Thanks....