Day two of the World Single Distance Championships got underway in Inzell, Germany as many crowd favourites geared up for a showdown in the 500m.

By: Maria Dalton

It was a day of upsets in Inzell, as the favourites in the 500m failed to strike gold. Also in action today were the men’s and women’s team pursuit squads.

Murashov, Herzog crowned 500m champions

Ruslan Murashov found himself atop the podium despite his opponents’ best efforts to knock him out of the number one spot. Murashov set a new track record with his time of 34.225 on route to claiming the world title. Havard Lorentzen, one of the favourites going into this weekend, finished with a PB time of 34.356 but it was only good enough for the silver medal. The Norwegian Olympic champion will be looking for redemption as he goes for the gold tomorrow in the 1000m. Viktor Mushtakov rounded off the podium with his PB time of 34.432.

In the women’s 500m it was Vanessa Herzog who upset favourite Nao Kodaira on route to capturing the world title for the distance. Herzog set both a new track record and PB in Inzell today with her time of 37.124. Kodaira, who has been undefeated in the 500m for the past seasons, has to settle for the silver medal today with her time of 37.202. Another Japanese skater, Konami Soga rounded off the podium with her PB time of 37.607.

Netherlands, Japan lead the way in the Team Pursuit

In the men’s team pursuit, it was the Netherlands who led the way and captured the world title. The Dutch trio of skaters finished firmly in first place with a time of 3:38.432 – for a two second lead over the second-place finishers. The Norwegians were second with a time of 3:40.807, while the Russians rounded off the podium with a time of 3:41.314.