Speed Skating - Europei Allround 2014
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Great celebration and packed grandstands Vikingkipet Arena in Hamar. Town in the Norwegian kicked off today, the European Allround Speed ​​Skating. After the first two tests, Ireen WÃ ¼ , the square st en plein (wins 500 and 3000m) and the hoist firmly in command. struggle between men, however, seems much more open: after 500 and 5000 meters, leads the provisional ranking the'' Dutchman Jan Blokhuijsen (Winner 5000) closely followed by compatriot Koen Verweij and Norwegian Håvard Bøkko (gold in the 500). ; The Italians are back, but in the race to enter the fourth and final round tomorrow (10000) and to qualify for the 2014 World Cup. Andrea Giovannini is the best (13th in general), followed Luca Stefani (14th). Francesca Bettrone is the twentieth on the list of women.
Saturday 11 January 2014 10 minutes reading time
Predictably the eve, the European champion in 2013 Ireen Wüst confirms its intention to focus firmly on the title and is firmly in control, with 79 106 points. In second place is the Russian provisional Skokova to +3.86 points from the top. Third square is the other Dutch Marije Joling (a + 5:07). Tenth and eleventh respectively in the overall standings in part, the stars and the world Pechstein Sablikova: Both, however, remain in contention for a medal. Twentieth the only blue Francesca Bettrone: must do better if it wants to qualify for the World Cup in Heerenveen next March (the need a place themselves at least in the top 14).
In the men's competition orphan champion Sven Kramer sees reign balance and uncertainty for the search of his "heir to the throne." For now, the Dutch duo Blokhuijsen-Verweij leads the provisional ranking. Follow them very closely, the idols of the house Bøkko and Pedersen. But the trio head is enclosed in only 27 tenths of a point: everything wide open for the European title. Very well, the two blues Andrea Giovannini and Luca Stefani: after 500 and 5000 meters are close to the twelfth place occupied by Fredrik van der Horst. Italians have a great chance to qualify fight over access to the last round of the 1,500 meters after tomorrow before Sunday's race. In this way, would equal Enrico Fabris, the last Italian to finish in the top 12 in the 2011 edition.
On the opening day of the Europeans, Francesca Bettrone was the first to take to the blue track at Hamar, in his 500 meters. The Venetian has concluded its test in eleventh place with the time of 40'' 24. The 22 year old improves as during the latter part of the season, but failed to break down the wall of the 40'' (as he had done on time in the transfers of non-European World Cup). The result in the fastest race of the program, however, leaves the running for a good finishing position.
Ireen Wüst had made it clear things up, winning the shortest test the program in 38'' 77. On the podium, along with all'olimpionica in Turin and Vancouver, had climbed the Czech Karolina Erbanova (38'' 80) and one of the possible surprises in the key Russian Yuliya Skokova medals (39'' 01).
In 3000, the blue inaugurates the series with the hostess Sofie Haugen. For Bettrone get a slightly below expectations, because the 21 year old who comes from inline skating, closes his performance in 4'27'' 12. A trial that is yes his best season, but it is far from what he had been able to do little more than a year ago in Kolomna (staff set at 4'18'' 85).
In the second race triumphs still Wüst, in 4'02'' 02. Depending on his compatriot Yvonne Nauta, late of 63 cents. Bronze for one of the most highly anticipated athletes, Martina Sablikova, which closes in 4'04'' 22 and prevents the Dutch trio on the podium of 3000. Fourth was in fact placed the other oranje Marije Joling for just two cents too. Fifth the other star of the European Championships, Germany's Claudia Pechstein.
In the 500 men surprised Andrea Giovannini. In his series with a possible outsider for the medals (the Belgian Bart Swings), is an excellent 36'' 86 (fifteenth on the distance). The financier of Baselga di Pine is also his personal best, improving a hundredth of a second (previous 36'' 87 in Calgary, March 15, 2012). Above expectations on the shorter race Luca Stefani. The 26 year old does not go very far from his best (36'' 72 dated 2011), stopping the clock at 36'' 90. Anyway, a good start for the athlete registered with the Golden Flame Moena. The Asiago, in its four previous European Allround, he had never run so fast 500 meters, distance certainly not among his favorite.
The race was won 500 of the Norwegian Håvard Bøkko. The Olympic bronze medalist at Vancouver 2010 (the 1500) preceded the competition with a time of 35'' 99. Second and third the Polish duo composed by Konrad Niedzwiedzki (36'' 06) Zbigniew Brodka (36'' 07).
The 5000 meters was the second trip distance and dish Two blue present at Hamar. And after the positive signals came from 500, Giovannini, and Stefani did not disappoint and are placed in the 14th and 16th rounds. Giovannini, after leaving a balanced, can not totally change after running the 3000 meters and closing in 6'33'' 87. The newcomer is the Europeans, however, his career best fourth in the time trial. Luca Stefani, however, complete his second round in 6'34'' 32, taking advantage of the good condition and also the infectious enthusiasm brought by the public and his fellow battery (the Norwegian van der Horst). The Venetian printing so his seasonal record, improving by more than four seconds as obtained in December in Berlin, in the World Cup.
The gold in 5000 saw the best foreseeable time candidate for the title of most European, Jan Blokhuijsen. The 24 year old Dutchman won in 6'15'' 89. On the podium compatriot Douwe de Vries (6'19'' 47) and Belgium's Bart Swings (6'20'' 92). The seventh winner of the 500 and interim leader of the general classification Håvard Bøkko.
OVERALL FEMALE (first positions) after 500m and 3000m
1. Ireen WÃœST (OLA) 79 106 points
2. Yuliya SKOKOVA (RUS) 80 390
3. Marije Joling (OLA) 80 796
4. Yekaterina SHIKHOVA (RUS) 80 831
5. Diane VALKENBURG 80 926
......
20. Francesca BETTRONE (ITA) 84 760
OVERALL MALE (first positions) after 500 and 5000m
1. Jan BLOKHUIJSEN (OLA) 74 199 points
2. Koen Verweij (OLA) 74 269
3. Håvard Bøkko (NOR) 74 287
4. Sverre Lunde Pedersen (NOR) 74 851
5. Bart SWINGS (BEL) 74 892
......
13. Andrea GIOVANNINI 76 247
14. STEFANI Luca (ITA) 76 332
The program of the second and final day of competition:
Sunday, January 12 (Isu channel live streaming on the link http://livemanager.eurovision.edgesuite.net/isu/site/index.html and deferred tv on Rai Sport 2 from 22:15)
13:00 1500m women
Hours 14:03 1500m women
Hours 15:04 5000m women
15:40 10000m men
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