Speed skating: Ihle cracks half Olympic norm over 1000 m

Sprinter Nico Ihle celebrated at least a partial success at the World Cup in Calgary, Canada, despite a mixed performance. In 1:08.19 minutes the Chemnitzer became 15th over 1000 m and thus met half the Olympic norm on this distance.

On the 10th. On 31 December, the 32-year-old in Salt Lake City has the opportunity to meet the second part of the standard. Ihle needs at least 16th place.

The Dutchman Kai Verbij secured the victory in 1:06.93 minutes ahead of his countryman Kjeld Nuis and the Norwegian Havard Lorentzen.

The fastest time was run by the two-time sprint world champion Pawel Kulischnikow in 1:06,88. The Russian, however, was disqualified because the railroad was crossed.

At the World Cup opener in Heerenveen, Ihle had been disqualified over 1000 m, so he had to compete in the B-group at the second World Cup weekend in Stavanger, Norway.

There he achieved the best 1000 m run of the weaker classed athletes and thus the jump back into the A-group.

The Vice World Champion over 500 m starts on Sunday over the short distance. At the World Cup season opener he had won silver on this track.