Kolomna / Russia

#EuroSpeed                                 #SpeedSkating

After Yekaterina Shikhova’s gold in the ladies’ 1000m, Pavel Kulizhnikov (RUS) handed the crowd another home victory in the men’s 1000m at European Single Distance Championships on Saturday. Denis Yuskov (RUS) and Nico Ihle (GER) took silver and bronze.

GettyImages 901823048 Kulizhnikov

Ihle, who came fourth in the Olympic 1000m four years ago in Sochi, was the first to break the 1:09 barrier with 1:08.95. Only eight out of 21 skaters managed to skate under 1:10 and only the top three managed a sub-1:09 1000m.

Kulizhnikov, who had to settle for bronze in Friday’s 500m, was paired with Mika Poutala (FIN). Both skaters clocked a fast 25.2 first full lap and the Russian was able to follow-up with a 27.2 final lap, whereas Poutala 27.7 in the final lap.

Kulizhnikov crossed the line in 1:08.84 and pushed Ihle to second place. Poutala clocked 1:09.41 to end up in fifth place.

Friday’s 1500m winner Yuskov again faced Thomas Krol (NED) in the 1000m. This time around there were no problems at the cross-over. Krol was faster at the 200m and the 600m split, but could not maintain his pace in the final lap and had to bow his head for Yuskov, who finished in 1:08.92. Krol clocked 1:09.28 to end up fourth.

Dutchmen Koen Verweij (1:09.87) and Hein Otterspeer (1:09.91) were not able to challenge the podium in the final pairing and finished seventh and eighth.