KEARNS, Utah (January 22, 2012) – Shani Davis (Chicago, Ill) skated to his second consecutive World Cup victory in the 1000m today at the Essent ISU World Cup at the Utah Olympic Oval.
Finishing with a time of 1:07.69, Davis secured his 34th World Cup victory at the 1000m distance, eclipsing Olympic and World Champion Dan Jansen’s previous record of 32 World Cup wins in a single distance (500m).
Stefan Groothuis (NED) took second with a time of 1:07.94, and Pekka Koskela (FIN) won bronze posting1:08.17.
"Today's race was better technically," said Davis. "I felt better rhythm. My speed wasn't as fast but it felt better technically, and I felt more in tune with my skating. Yesterday I was a little sloppy, but that's coming from a perfectionist," he added.
In today’s 500m, Tucker Fredricks (Janesville, WI) raced to his fifth consecutive World Cup podium finish in the distance with a time of 34.61 to capture bronze. Fredricks’ podium finish today propelled him to the overall World Cup lead in the 500m men’s standings.
Russia’s Dmitry Lobkov won gold with a time of 34.55, and Keiichiro Nagashima (JPN) was second at 34.57.
“It was a pretty solid race, and I’m happy that I’m in first overall, said Fredricks after today’s race. “I’m hoping to win some medals in the 500m at World Sprints, next weekend.”
Heather Richardson (High Point, NC) finished 9th for Team USA in today’s 500m with a 38.04. Teammate Brittany Bowe (Ocala, FL) was 16th, posting a personal-best 38.29. Sang-Hwa Lee (KOR) took first with a 37.27, Jing Yu (CHN) was second (37.51), and Germany’s Jenny Wolf was third (37.62).
Richardson tied with Ireen Wust (Ned) for 5th in today’s 1000m (1:15.48). Bowe fell at the start of her 1000m, but rallied to finish the race at 1:24.30 for 17th place. Laurine van Riessen (NED) won the 1000m gold (1:14.21), followed by Marrit Leenstra (NED) for silver with 1:14.41, and Monique Angermuller (GER) taking bronze with a time of 1:14.83.
Extended results from today’s World Cup are available here
Team USA’s sprint distance athletes now travel to Calgary, Canada for the 2012 ISU Sprint World Championships, January 28-29. Bowe, Davis, Fredricks and Richardson will be joined by 2010 Olympian Mitchell Whitmore (Waukesha, WI) to represent Team USA at next weekend’s World Championships.