| Related content: |
 |
|
 |
Pechstein takes gold in world record time
By Paul Newberry
AP sports writer
KEARNS, Utah — Claudia Pechstein set another world speedskating record at the Utah Olympic Oval, winning the 3,000 meters Sunday to upstage German rival Anni Friesinger.
The flamboyant Friesinger had won every 3,000 race during the World Cup season and hoped to get started on capturing three gold medals at the Salt Lake City Games.
Instead, she didn't even win a medal. Pechstein shattered her own world record, crossing the line in 3 minutes, 57.70 seconds — more than 1 1/2 seconds ahead of the old mark of 3:59.26.
Renate Groenewold of the Netherlands (3:58.94) and Canada's Cindy Klassen (3:58.97) also went under the previous record to claim silver and bronze, respectively.
Friesinger wound up fourth, fading badly on her final lap to cross the line in 3:59.39. While that put her in the lead at the time, she could only watch helplessly as three skaters eclipsed her time.
American Jennifer Rodriguez finished seventh in 4:04.99, breaking her own national record but winding up seventh — a drop from her surprising fourth-place showing at Nagano four years ago.
Rodriguez, a former inline skater from Miami, still has three other events to go for her first Olympic medal.
|
|
February 10, 2002
|
