Czech skater wins women's 3,000 at World Cup
APNews
Dec 11, 2009
Martina Sablikova of the Czech Republic has won the 3,000 meters at the final speedskating World Cup before the Vancouver Olympics.
Sablikova skated the 7 1/2 laps in 3 minutes, 56.29 seconds in Friday's final at the Utah Olympic Oval. She finished 1.49 seconds ahead of Stephanie Beckert of Germany, who crossed the line in 3:57.78 while skating in the same final pairing as Sablikova.
Kristina Groves of Canada was third in 3:58.67.
Claudia Pechstein of Germany, who is appealing her doping ban, finished 13th in 4:04.59.