Americans Bowe, Richardson go 1-2 in 1,000m at speedskating worlds
HEERENVEEN, Netherlands -- Brittany Bowe led an American one-two in the 1,000 meters Friday at the speedskating world championships, beating teammate Heather Richardson into second.
A year after a disastrous showing by the U.S. speedskating team at the Sochi Olympics, the Americans dominated early at the Thialf oval.
Richardson set a new track record of 1 minute, 14.49 seconds in her pairing against defending champion Olga Fatkulina of Russia only to see Bowe shatter it again with her winning time of 1:13.90. Karolina Erbanova of the Czech Republic was third.
Bowe said her entire season had been focused on the race.
"Since the beginning of the year, my goal has been world single distance championships gold medal in the 1,000," she said.
Martina Sablikova of the Czech Republic won her second title in as many days, adding victory in the 5,000 meters to the 3,000 win from Thursday.
Sablikova, the Olympic champion, finished in 6:52.73. Carlijn Achtereekte of the Netherlands won silver and German veteran Claudia Pechstein was third.
Defending champion Denis Yuskov of Russia took more than a second off the track record to win the men's 1,500 in 1:43.36.
Denny Morrison was second, 1.72 seconds behind Yuskov, and Koen Verweij of the Netherlands was third.
World record-holder Shani Davis could not emulate his American teammates Bowe and Richardson, finishing fourth.
The Netherlands, dominant at last year's Olympics, picked up its second gold of the championships in the final race of the second day when its men won the team pursuit. Canada was second and South Korea third. Dutchman Jorrit Bergsma won the 10,000 on the opening day.
