Kulizhnikov breaks 500m skating world record twice in a week
Xinhua, November 21, 2015 Adjust font size:
Russia's Pavel Kulizhnikov broke the 500-meter world record for the second time in a week on Friday, finishing in 33.98 seconds in a World Cup speedskating event in Salt Lake City.
Kulizhnikov set the previous mark of 34.00 on Sunday in Calgary, Alberta, breaking the record of 34.03 set by Canada's Jeremy Wotherspoon in 2007.
"I understood the ice was faster here, so I wanted to skate faster," Kulizhnikov said.
The Utah Olympic Oval has an enormous plaque at the entrance that lists the world records and those set at the Oval. Kulizhnikov stood on a lift and removed his name with the old record and replaced it with the new mark.
China's Zhang Hong won the women's 500m in 36.56. American Brittany Bowe followed in 37.03, and teammate Heather Bergsma was third in 37.13.
American Mitchell Whitmore was a career-best second in an America record 34.19.
The Netherlands' Kjeld Nuis won the 1,500m in 1:42.14. American Joey Mantia was second in 1:42.45, and teammate Shani Davis third in 1:42.90.
The Czech Republic's Martina Sablikova won the women's 5,000m in 6:47.42. Endi