Sablikova sets world record in 5,000 metre event, clinches title

At 19, Martina Sablikova has become the youngest competitor to ever win the European Speed Skating Championship combined events title. On Sunday the nineteen-year old skater set a new world record in the 5,000 metres, earning a time of 6:58:45 which helped her cut a lead by the Netherlands' Ireen Wust. Sablikova has proven to be a specialist in longer formats: in the 500 metre event earlier on she finished ninth; on Saturday she also won the 3,000 metre event in which she also set a new world record.

Author: Jan Velinger