KEARNS, Utah — It took Shani Davis about a year to reclaim the speedskating world record in the 1,500 meters. Davis became the first skater to go 1,500 in less than 1 minute, 42 seconds, finishing with a time of 1:41.80 on Friday at a World Cup meet at the Utah Olympic Oval.
It was the fifth world record of Davis’ career and the fourth time he set a mark in the 1,500, the distance at which he won an Olympic silver medal three years ago.
“It’s nice to have the record back,” Davis said.
Canadian Denny Morrison had owned the record of 1:42.01, setting it last March 8 in Calgary, Alberta. Before that, Davis and Erben Wennermars of the Netherlands shared the record time of 1:42.32.
“I wasn’t trying to go after any world record. I was just trying to put the best time possible on the board,” said Davis, who won the World Cup season title in the 1,500 with 470 points.
American Trevor Marsicano was second with 374 after shattering his personal best by nearly three seconds and placing second in 1:42.31. Morrison took third (1:42.56).
Other winners included: China’s Yu Fengtong (men’s 500), Germany’s Anni Friesinger (women’s 1,000) and the Czech Republic’s Martina Sablikova (women’s 3,000).
