Press releases

MINSK, 11 January (BelTA) - Martina Sablikova of the Czech Republic and Sven Kramer of the Netherlands won the ISU European Speed Skating Championships in Minsk, BelTA has learned.

Four-time Olympic champion Martina Sablikova scored a total of 161,455 points. The Czech athlete secured wins in the 5000m (6:58.44), 3000m (4:03.79) and 1500m (1:57.00) at the Minsk Arena stadium. Silver and bronze medals went to the athletes from the Netherlands. Irene Wust finished second with the total of 163,188 points. Third was Antoinette de Jong (164,044 points).

Belarus’ Marina Zuyeva scored 124,802 points in three heats. She was 10^th in the 500m (40.54 seconds), 11^th in the 3000m (4:17.80) and 14^th in the 1500 (2:03.89). Her teammate Tatyana Mikhailova finished 15^th overall with the total of 126,929 points. Tatyana Mikhailova covered the 500m distance in 40.63 seconds (13^th place). She was 17^th in the 3000m (4:29.60) and 15^th in the 1500m (2:04.10).

According to head coach of the Belarusian national team Sergei Minin, the results at the continental forum in Minsk are so far the best in the careers of Marina Zuyeva and Tatyana Mikhailova.

Sven Kramer of the Netherlands topped the men’s overall standings with the total of 150,102 points. The three-time Olympic champion collected his eighth career title. Silver went to Belgium’s Bart Swings (150,164 points). Bronze was taken by Dutch Jan Blokhuijsen (151,176 points). Belarus’ Vitaly Mikhailov finished 12^th in the 500m (36.88 seconds), 14^th in the 1500m (1:49.98) and was 11^th in the 5,000m (6:38.56). The Belarusian placed 12^th overall with 113,396 points.

Minsk hosted the ISU European Speed Skating Championships for the first time. Partaking in the competitions were athletes from 17 European countries.