PBs
The conditions were not optimal during the first day of the World
Cup events in the Vikingship. But we still recorded a total of
sixteen PBs (7 on the men’s 1500m, 9 on the ladies’ 5K). The opening
day even saw two new track records: Shani Davis’ impressing 1.44.27
on the men’s 1500m – the fastest time ever on this distance in
Europe and Martina Sáblikovás 6.50,07 on the ladies’ 5K.
Polish skater Sbiginiew Brodka definitely had his best day so far
on 1500m, improving his personal record with amazing 1,82 seconds
(from 1.50,19 to 1.48,37).
On the closing event, the ladies 5K division B, Cathrine Grage
smashed the Danish national record finishing on 7.10,25.
Bars
Technical director Mr. J. Andersen in the Vikingship reported stable
meteorological conditions throughout Saturdays events with air
pressure between 1010 – 1015 millibars, which is normal for Hamar
where the venue’s ice surface is on alt. 125m..
Forecasts for Sundays events are positive with a low pressure
corresponding to altitude 325m..
 Oscar
winner: Shani Davis
The US-skater Shani Davis, a hero among Vikingship spectators, was
Saturday awarded the 2008/09 Oscar of Speed Skating. The jury in its
decision underlined Davis’ “..overwhelming achievements with two
world records (1000m, 1500m)..during the WC-finals in Salt Lake
City”. This is the eigth time the Oscar statue of speed skating has
been won by a skater from the USA.
The initial Oscar was in 1959 given to the Norwegian skater Knut
Johansen.
Davis could actually file his second copy of the miniature statue of
Oscar Mathiesen, the Norwegian legend. Davis was also awarded the
Oscar of speed skating in 2004/05
European Championships coming up
This weekends competitions is also a warm-up for the 2010 edition of
the European allround Championships which will take place in the
Vikingship on 9. – 10. January.
Ticket sales reflect a vast interest in this Olympic season, and
the organisers expect two sold-out championships days in January.
ECh Hamar 2010
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