top of page

LATEST NEWS

“Watch this space” – GB Long Track squad set for final World Cup

The GB Speed Skating squad are in Canada for the final ISU World Cup with Olympic quota places still on the line.

They come into the competition off the back of an incredible set of results in Salt Lake City just a week ago. There were a staggering seven new national records set at the Utah Olympic Oval.


Cornelius Kersten, who sits in 10th place in the 1000m World Cup rankings, set new personal bests and national records in the 500m, 1000m and 1500m.


Gemma Cooper skated the fastest ever 3000m for Great Britain in 4:17.30. Ellia Smeding clocked a personal best and national record in each of the 500m, 1000m and 1500m.


Peter Riches, the fourth member of the squad, also performed well setting a new personal best in the 1500m. He joined the team after winning the Neo Senior Mass Start at the Junior World Cup in Inzell.

Peter Riches seemed to enjoy his win at the Junior World Cup in Inzell. Photo credit: International Skating Union (ISU)

Tom Fell, team leader, said: “The skaters are now starting to see the payoff from their hard work in the lead up to this year.


"The results last weekend were great to see and couldn’t be better in the lead up to the last Olympic qualifying event this weekend in Calgary.”


Racing in the Olympic Oval gets underway at 16:50 GMT with the 500m Women Division B. The first British skater will be on the ice at 23:55 as Gemma Cooper and Ellia Smeding line up for the 3000m.


Kersten and Riches are set to start their competition on Saturday.


Fell added: “This weekend will be a great opportunity for the skaters to build upon last weekend’s races. Watch this space”


The full schedule and results can be found by clicking here.

Some races will be broadcast on the ISU YouTube channel.

Comments


bottom of page