Sky Scholar Elise Christie secures 1500m title at World Championships
Monday 13 March 2017 10:17, UK
Elise Christie became the first British woman to win a World Short Track Speed Skating Championships title after claiming victory in the 1500m on Saturday in Rotterdam.
The 26-year-old Sky Academy Sports Scholar, who has previously won eight other world championship medals, defeated Canada's Marianne St Gelais and South Korea's Suk Hee Shim with a time of 2.54.367 minutes.
Reflecting on her victory, Christie said: "The semi-final didn't go the way I wanted it to, so I changed my tactic in the final and went out in front to give myself the best opportunity, and that worked out. It's pretty amazing, especially as I haven't raced that distance in a year."
Within half an hour of winning the 1500m, Christie then returned to the ice to compete in the 500m event, taking control of the quarter and semi-finals to put herself in medal contention again.
A medal though was just out of her grasp in the final, which was ultimately won by Kexin Fan of China in 43.605s.
St Gelais claimed a silver, while Ji Yoo Kim of Korea won a bronze.
Elise, who still holds the 500m world record of 42.335s, said: "It was all or nothing for me in the 500m. I am pretty disappointed as it's my preferred distance and I put a lot of emphasis on it.
"I was determined to win rather than settle for a bronze medal.
"I made that choice during the race and it didn't pay off. I lost my speed a bit after a bit of a crash with Marianne (St Gelais) and couldn't come back from that, even though I tried my best. I think I probably would have felt the same disappointment coming third."
