World Sprint Speed Skating Championships

By Karry Taylor

03/02/2012

speedskating23 Calgary hosted the 2012 World Sprint Speed Skating Championships on January 28 and 29 at the Olympic Oval.

The best from around the world competed at the event including Canadian superstars Christine Nesbitt and Denny Morrison.

Speed Skating Championship

Photos by: Karry Taylor

Record-breaker: Christine Nesbitt of Canada set one world record and finished second overall at the 2012 world sprint speed skating championships
Mika Poutala of Finland celebrates after the first race of the men's 1000m race. Canada's Jamie Gregg, in the background, was paired with Poutala
Aleksey Yesin of Russia takes a corner in the men's 500m race
Vanessa D'Souza of Calgary and her four-year-old son Kai Mooahy came out decked in red and ready to cheer for the Canadian skaters
Dan Duguay, known professionally as Dan the One Man Band, keep the crowds entertained
Dutch delight: Sisters Monica and Jeanette de Jonge flew to Calgary from the Netherlands to watch the competition. It was their first visit to Canada
Robert Albricht and his nine-year-old son Nikolai were among a large contingent of Canadians with a Dutch background who cheered on skaters from both countries
Andy Tenham (left) and David Sandoz were among hundred of volunteers who worked to ensure a successful event
On your mark: Espen Aarnes Hvammen of Norway practices his race starts
Brittany Bowe of the United States removes her skate guards in preparation to take to the ice
Friends and family show their support for Canadian skater Denny Morrison
The end is in sight: Artur Was of Poland crossing the finish line of the men's 1000m
A young volunteer helps keep the race lanes in order
Marius Paraschivoiu of Romania removes his skate blade protectors
Although their loudest cheers were reserved for skaters from the Netherlands, the boisterous Dutch fans cheered on all the competitors
Jing Yu of China moments after setting a new world record in the women's second 500m race
Samuel Schwarz of Germany after giving a full effort in the men's 1000m race
2012 world sprint speed skating overall champion Jing Yu of China celebrates with silver-medalist Christine Nesbitt of Canada (left) and bronze-medalist Hong Zhang of China
Two Korean skaters, Kyou-Hyuk Lee (left) and Tae-Bum Mo, flank 2012 world sprint speed skating overall champion Stefan Groothuis of the Netherlands. Lee finished in second place, while Mo was third
Denny Ihle of Germany goes all out in the mens 1000m race

Record-breaker: Christine Nesbitt of Canada set one world record and finished second overall at the 2012 world sprint speed skating championships

Mika Poutala of Finland celebrates after the first race of the men's 1000m race. Canada's Jamie Gregg, in the background, was paired with Poutala

Aleksey Yesin of Russia takes a corner in the men's 500m race

Vanessa D'Souza of Calgary and her four-year-old son Kai Mooahy came out decked in red and ready to cheer for the Canadian skaters

Dan Duguay, known professionally as Dan the One Man Band, keep the crowds entertained

Dutch delight: Sisters Monica and Jeanette de Jonge flew to Calgary from the Netherlands to watch the competition. It was their first visit to Canada

Robert Albricht and his nine-year-old son Nikolai were among a large contingent of Canadians with a Dutch background who cheered on skaters from both countries

Andy Tenham (left) and David Sandoz were among hundred of volunteers who worked to ensure a successful event

On your mark: Espen Aarnes Hvammen of Norway practices his race starts

Brittany Bowe of the United States removes her skate guards in preparation to take to the ice

Friends and family show their support for Canadian skater Denny Morrison

The end is in sight: Artur Was of Poland crossing the finish line of the men's 1000m

A young volunteer helps keep the race lanes in order

Marius Paraschivoiu of Romania removes his skate blade protectors

Although their loudest cheers were reserved for skaters from the Netherlands, the boisterous Dutch fans cheered on all the competitors

Jing Yu of China moments after setting a new world record in the women's second 500m race

Samuel Schwarz of Germany after giving a full effort in the men's 1000m race

2012 world sprint speed skating overall champion Jing Yu of China celebrates with silver-medalist Christine Nesbitt of Canada (left) and bronze-medalist Hong Zhang of China

Two Korean skaters, Kyou-Hyuk Lee (left) and Tae-Bum Mo, flank 2012 world sprint speed skating overall champion Stefan Groothuis of the Netherlands. Lee finished in second place, while Mo was third

Denny Ihle of Germany goes all out in the mens 1000m race