ASTANA, Kazakhstan (AP) Martina Sablikova won the women's 3,000 meters on Friday, the first day of competition in the Kazakhstan round of the speedskating World Cup.
Czech skater Sablikova won in 4 minutes, 2.90 seconds, with Russia's Anna Yurakova 0.94 seconds slower. Third place went to Miho Takagi of Japan on 4:05.68.
Yu Jing of China won the first of the weekend's two events in the women's 500 in 37.85 seconds, beating compatriot Zhang Hong by 0.02 seconds and South Korean Lee Sang-Hwa by 0.1 seconds.
Dutch skater Jan Blokhuijsen set the fastest time of the day in the men's 5,000 with 6:19.31 but wasn't considered the overall winner because he was skating in the B group. Peter Michael of New Zealand won the A group on 6:21.58 for maximum points.
