#WUAlmaty2017: Speed Skating Competition ends with Mass Start

ALMATY – It was the perfect ending of the speed skating competition today, 6 February at the Medeu Mountain Ice Rink. The rink is located in a mountain valley on the south-eastern outskirts of Almaty and sits 1,691 metres above sea level, making it the highest skating rink in the world. Although below zero temperatures were measured, the sun was shining abundantly and the sky was coloured deep blue. The setting you want for a mass start race with 16 laps to go.

18 skaters made it to the women’s finals which was won by Anna Pristalova (Russia/10:43.74). Japanese athlete Nene Sakai who already has two medals of this Winter Universiade was second (10:45.12) while third place went to Korean skater Jun Yejin (10:45.33).

Dutch skater Aveline Hijlkema ended 9^th, but was the only skater who participated in all speed skating events. “This rink is fabulous. This week we had all kinds of weather to skate”, the athlete commented in the Mixed Zone. “I enjoyed skating here on this altitude in all weather conditions. In heavy snowfall or like today under a beautiful sun. It makes it special. I skated all the distances and I’m very pleased with my performance her in Almaty.”

The men’s competition was won by Seitaro Ichinohe (JPN/8:56.98) beating Jinyeong Lee (KOR/8:57.18) while Aleksander Razorenov (RUS/9:01.11) settled for the bronze.

Sergio Anesi, FISU Technical Delegate for Speed Skating is a satisfied man. “I’m extremely positive about this edition,” Mr. Anesi commented. “Not only for the good results, even a track record. In Medeu it was not simple to have a track record. For the skater it was important. Therefore, the Organising Committee has done a fantastic job. They worked very hard for seven days. We encountered all different weather conditions the past week. We had some very bad days with lots of snow, but also a beautiful sun like today. However, the athletes could always skate very well because the OC cleaned the snow during the night and saw to it that the skating conditions were always perfect. I am really satisfied.”

C. Pierre, FISU Press Officer