Lee breaks world record

Lee Sang-hwa

By Jung Min-ho

Reigning Olympic 500-meter speed skating champion Lee Sang-hwa set a new world record at that distance in a Speed Skating World Cup event at Calgary’s Olympic Oval on Monday (KST).

The 23-year-old crossed the line in 36.80 seconds, beating the 36.94 set by China’s Yu Jing a year ago. She also extended her perfect World Cup winning streak to eight for the 2012-2013 season that began on Nov. 16.

“I didn't expect the world record here,” Lee was quoted as saying by The Associated Press. “I was hoping to set it next week in Salt Lake City (at the world sprint championships).”

Heather Richardson of the United States was the runner-up in 37.42, followed by Margot Boer of the Netherlands with 37.54.

Lee bettered her own Korean record on Sunday, finishing in 36.99 to become the first Korean woman to break 37 seconds.

The 2010 Vancouver Winter Games gold medalist is top of the overall World Cup 500-meter standings with 800 points ahead of second-place Jenny Wolf of Germany on 481. With only four races remaining, Lee looks likely to dethrone last season’s champion Yu.

Since the last Olympics Lee has put a lot of work into the start of her race, which was a weaker area. She has lost 2 kilograms and undertaken more leg-focused weight training to bolster her starting speed.

Though the training brought about a reduction in muscular endurance, her times for the first 100 meters have improved. On Monday, Lee hit the 100-meter mark in 10.26 seconds, 0.39 ahead of Richardson.

Lee is scheduled to compete in the World Sprint Speed Skating Championships in Salt Lake City next weekend at a rink known for producing records.