Carolina Hiller of Prince George was the top Canadian Friday in the women’s 500-metre event at the ISU speed skating world championships in Calgary.
The 26-year-old world team sprint champion finished 20th, 1.47 seconds off the winning pace set by Dutch skater Femke Kok, who crossed the finish in 36.83 seconds.
Min-Sun Kim of Korea (37.19) and Kimi Goertz of the United States (37.21) won silver and bronze respectively on the Olympic Oval.
Heather Carruthers of Winnipeg was 23rd in 38.71.
On Thursday, Hiller became a repeat world champion in the team sprint, combining with Maddison Perman of Ponoka, Alta., and Ivanie Blondin of Ottawa to grab the top spot on the podium.
In the men’s 500m event Friday, American Jordan Stolz won it in 33.69, just ahead of Laurent Dubreuil of Levis, Que. (33.95). Damian Zurek of Poland won bronze (34.11).
In the women’s team pursuit, Blondin, Valerie Maltais of Saguenay, Que. and Isabelle Weidemann of Ottawa skated to a silver medal, finishing 3.2 seconds behind the Dutch team of Joy Beune, Irene Schouten and Marijke Groenewoud, who clocked 2:51.20.
In the men’s team pursuit, Connor Howe of Canmore, Antoine Gelinas-Beaulieu of Sherbrooke, Que., and Hayden Mayeur of Toronto won bronze. Italy’s Andrea Giovannini, Davide Ghiotto and Michele Malfatti won it with a track record time of 3:35.00. Norway took silver in 3:36.07, followed by the Canadians (3:36.73).
Racing resumes on Saturday.
Allison Desmarais of Vanderhoof is entered in the 1,000 m event.
