SOCHI, March 21 (R-Sport) – Speed skater Denis Yuskov claimed the first gold of the World Single Distance Championships in Sochi on Thursday.
The 23-year-old Russian won the 1,500 meters final in 1:46.32 minutes, beating 10-time world champion Shani Davis of the United States by half a second.
Last year’s runner-up, Ivan Skobrev, claimed the bronze after finishing 0.14 seconds behind Davis.
Thursday will also see the women’s 3,000 meter final.
The championships are the first international test event for the Adler Arena in the center of the Sochi Olympic Park ahead of next year's Winter Games.
The 8,000-seater venue will share the Olympic speed skating events with the adjacent Iceberg Skating Palace.
