World Cup #5: Russia takes over Calgary

On day one of World Cup number five it was Team Russia that crowded the podium at the Olympic Oval in Calgary. First day action saw both the A and B Division race the men’s 500m and 1500m and the women’s 1000m and 3000m.

By Maria Dalton

Photos by Maria Dalton

500m Men

There were Russians around every corner yesterday afternoon as Ruslan Murashov led a trio of Russian skaters to the top of the podium. Skating in the second last pair, Murashov posted the quickest time of 34.043 as neither skater in the final pair was able to catch him. Pavel Kulizhnikov, the current world record and track record holder, skated in the second pair to cross the line at 34.052 and capture the silver medal. Rounding out the podium for the Russians was 23 year-old Viktor Mushtakov who finished with a time of 34.068 for the bronze. With his bronze medal performance today, Viktor Mushtakov remains atop the world cup standings on the season. 

Three Canadians were in action today in the 500m with Gilmore Junio finishing in ninth in front of a hometown crowd, Laurent Dubreuil finishing in 13th and Alex Boisvert-Lacroix finishing in 16th. 

1000m Ladies

Nao Kodaira found herself atop the podium after posting a time of 1:12.652 to capture the 1000m crown and claim 60 points towards her world cup total. The Russians once again crowded the podium as Olga Fatkulina and Yekaterina Shikhova captured silver and bronze with their times of 1:12.803 (a PB) and 1:12.842, respectively. Canadian Kaylin Irvine finished in 13th place with a personal best of 1:14.411 alongside her compatriot Heather McLean in 20th (1:16.212).

1500 Men

Tyson Langelaar

Yet another Russian found himself atop the podium as Denis Yuskov came out on top with a time of 1:43.234 - two seconds slower than his current track record at the oval. FInishing in the silver position was Zhongyan Ning who finished with a personal best time of 1:43.262 to remain atop the world cup standings. American Joey Mantia celebrated his birthday in style as he rounded off the podium in third with a time of 1:43.741. Canadian Antoine Gélinas-Beaulieu finished just off the podium with a time of 1:44.002, fellow Canadians Tyson Langelaar and David La Rue finished in 8th and 11th place respectively. 

3000 Ladies 

Martina Sablikova once again flexed her muscles to finish atop the podium with her time of 3:54.936. This is her first time at the top of the podium since World Cup #2. Antoinette de Jong finished in the silver medal position with her time of 3:56.182 to take home 54 points for the World Cup standings. Rounding out the podium was yet another Russian skater in Natalia Voronina who finished with a time of 3:56.579 to round out the top three. Ivanie Blondin, who found herself atop the podium in the 3000m for the past two World Cup stops, finished a disappointing 7th, however she still remains in second place in the WC standings. Fellow Canadian Isabelle Weidemann finished eight with her time of 4:02.296 while Valérie Maltais finished in 11th with her time of 4:04.601.

For full results click HERE

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