Russia reigns speed skating Euros
Pavel Kulizhnikov of Russia took gold in the 1000-meter event at the European Speed Skating Championships and compatriot Yekaterina Shikhova won the women’s 1000 on Jan. 6.
Kulizhnikov finished in 1 minute, 8.84 seconds, 0.08 faster than Russia’s Denis Yuskov. Nico Ihle of Germany was third in 1:08.985. The medals were the second at the championships for both Russians - Yuskov won gold in the 1500 on Jan. 5 and Kulizhnikov was third in the 500.
Shikhova, who won silver in the 1500 on Friday, finished in 1:15.34. Vanessa Herzog of Austria was second in 1:15.44 and Marrit Leenstra of the Netherlands took bronze, 0.3 seconds slower. Herzog won the 500-meter gold a day earlier at the arena in Kolomna and Leenstra was the 1500-meter bronze.
Esmee Visser of the Netherlands won her first senior international gold in the women’s 3000 with a time of 4:05.31 - 1.5 seconds faster than compatriot Carlijn Achtereekte. Russia’s Natalia Voronova was third with 4:07.62.
