2014 Speed Skating Worlds: First Day
The 2014 Worlds of Speed Skating started with a great rush in Rosario, Argentina. The first races unfolded in a blazing heat (40°C). Let's go back on the 300 m series and on the point and elimination races on track...
Par alfathor
The 300 m races time trial
Junior Women’s: First Colombian Double
Without intending to make easy puns here, one may say that the winner of the junior women’s category is pretty aptly named! Colombian Andrea Canon imposed herself in 26.545 in front of two other South Americans, Venezuelan Yarubis Bandres (26.714) and Colombian Jenesia Escobar (26.802). Let’s note once more the dominance of South America and Asia over Europe for sprints. Only 4 Europeans qualified for the finals.
Junior Men’s: Unbeatable Albrecht
The German phenomenon, Simon Albrecht, stroke again! He took the first place in 24.298 in front of Colombian Edwin Estrada (24.453). The podium was completed by Venezuelian Jhoan Guzman.
Albrecht would have taken the second place if he had raced with the seniors.
Senior Women’s: Second Colombian Double
The senior women’s race saw another Colombian double victory with Hellen Montoya (26.223) and Yerci Puello (26.254). Only 3 hundredth separated the two team mates. Bronze went to Korean Yi Seul An.
Senior Men’s: Third Colombian Double
The favorite Colombian Pedro Causil won in 24.109, signing the best time of the day – obviously. He finished in front of Korean Lee Myung Kyu (24.327) and of another Colombian, Juan Camilo Perez (24.354). French Darren de Souza ended up at the foot of the podium, just like the Spanish king of sprint, Ioseba Fernandez.
The point and elimination races
Junior Men’s 15 km point and elimination race
The Europeans remain the bosses of long distance races. Italian Daniele Niero imposed himself with 16 points, in front of French Quentin Giraudeau (11 points). The current generation of Colombian long distance skaters stayed in the background: Manuel Saavedra (11 points) and Fabian Valencia (10 points) respectively finished 3rd and 4th.
Junior Women’s 10 km point and elimination race
Colombian Fabrina Arias (19 points) and Korean Gan Ran (16 points) dominated the race hands down, helped by their team mates. French Déborah Marchand (8 points) did a very clever race, patient and cunning, but it wasn’t enough. She found herself alone after the fall of Mounya Talousi at the beginning of the race. Déborah Marchand fell too, just before the last home stretch, without consequence on the final ranking.
Senior Men’s 15 km elimination race
We believed for a long time in the victory of French Alexis Contin. The French did a great race, together with his team mate Ewen Fernandez. But it was without taking into account the formidable New Zealander, Peter Michael, who didn’t let him out of his sight at the end of the race. The New Zealander seized the victory on the line with a finish hawk… His 4th title in a row!
Ewen Fernandez (France) completed the podium in front of Korean Son Geun Seong.
Senior Women’s 10 km elimination race
The level was very high with Paola Serrano (Colombia) back at a very good world level. The Colombian imposed herself in front of formidable Italian Francesca Lollogrigida. The 3rd place went to Chinese Guo Dan, who did a lonely race. The Halbout sisters (France) did a great placing job in the pack.
Besides the races
The races unfold in good conditions, it is the most important. However, let’s deplore the poor quality of the direct broadcasting with many cuts and low quality images. Moreover, many races are not broadcasted, which is very frustrating.
Links
Results of the point and elimination races on track
Results: Colombia show their hands on the 300 m races
Results of the 300 m senior series
Results of the 300 m junior series
Our page dedicated to the event
Translation: Chloe Seyres
Photos : Rafael Leyton et Nathalie Planelles
