Euro medal haul bodes well for Winter Olympic success
February 2010 by Helen Barnett
Great Britain’s short track speed skating team have travelled to the Winter Olympics with high hopes, after securing five medals at the European Championships in Dresden, Germany.
Elise Christie, 19, from Livingston, Scotland, finished with overall bronze position after winning silver in the ladies 1,500m and 3,000m.
It was a close call for Elise in the eight-woman 1,500m where she finished 0.096 seconds behind first place Arianna Fontana from Italy.
Jon Eley, from Solihull, Birmingham, achieved silver in the 500m. He went on to bring home bronze in the mens 5,000m relay with team mates Tom Iveson, from Solihull, and Anthony Douglas, Jack Whelbourne and Paul Worth, all from Nottingham.
The team, who are now preparing for the 2012 Olympics in Vancouver which starts on February 12, is one of the strongest the National Ice Skating Association (NISA) has ever had, with seven skaters competing. Sarah Lindsay, from Kingston Upon Thames, completes the line up.
Keith Horton, chief executive from National Ice Skating Association, said: “Congratulations to all the short track skaters who have proved they are a real threat to those competing at the Winter Olympics.
“This was the last competition before Vancouver 2010 so it is great that they are peaking at such a pivotal point in their season. I wish them all the luck for success in Vancouver.”
