ISU

It took Pair skater Aljona Savchenko (GER) five Olympic Games, three partners and two countries to reach her ultimate goal: the top step of the Olympic podium. There were quite a few bumps on the road, but the petite skater never gave up. Now Aljona Savchenko is not only one of the most successful skaters of our time with three Olympic medals and six ISU World Figure Skating titles, but more than that, she is an inspiration and role model for many young skaters out there.

Some extraordinary performances were witnessed at the ISU European Speed Skating Championships. Relive them here with the highlights. 

The first ever ISU Four Continents Short Track Speed Skating Championships took place this weekend in Montréal, Canada. Check out what happened.

The brand new ISU Four Continents Short Track Speed Skating Championships took place this weekend in Montréal, Canada. We have selected some of the best pictures. Have a look at how speed, focus and passion can be captured. 

Some extraordinary moments were captured at the ISU European Speed Skating Championships this weekend. Have a look at our selection of best pictures from the event. 

Bart Swings (BEL) broke the mold in the final event of the ISU European Speed Skating Championships in Heerenveen. Before the men's Mass Start all 13 titles had gone to the Netherlands or Russia, but in the final event Swings won an historic first international speed skating title for Belgium. Earlier on Sunday, the Netherlands had taken Team Pursuit gold and Pavel Kulizhnikov (RUS) had retained his European 1000m title with a spectacular track record.

The Dutch ladies recorded a clean sweep of gold medals at the ISU European Championships in Heerenveen on Sunday. Antoinette de Jong, Ireen Wüst and Melissa Wijfje started the final day retaining the Team Pursuit title for the Netherlands. Jutta Leerdam added the 1000m gold with her first major international title, and Irene Schouten wrapped up the day seizing mass start gold, with Wijfje bringing home the bronze in the same event to put a cherry on top of the orange cake.

Republic of Korea scored a ‘perfect 10’ to bring down the curtain on a successful weekend of action at the inaugural Four Continents Short Track Speed Skating Championships in Quebec, Canada.

Pavel Kulizhnikov (RUS) and Patrick Roest (NED) both lived up to expectations, winning the 500m and the 5000m events on the second day of the ISU European Speed Skating Championships on Saturday. All six medals in the men's competition went to Russia and the Netherlands, with the visitors taking one gold and two bronze and the home squad one gold and two silvers.

Olga Fatkulina (RUS) won her first major individual international title since picking up 500m gold at the 2013 World Championships on the second day of the ISU European Speed Skating Championships in Heerenveen. The 29-year-old Russian beat defending champion Vanessa Herzog (AUT) in the Ladies' 500m. Esmee Visser (NED) successfully defended her title in the 3000m.

Olympic and ISU World Figure Skating Champions as well as exciting newcomers highlighted the ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating series 2019/20 with their amazing performances.

Republic of Korea delivered a roof-raising display of short track power and poise to get the inaugural Four Continents Short Track Speed Skating Championships underway at Montreal’s iconic Maurice Richard Arena on Saturday afternoon.

Thomas Krol (NED) completed his 1500m sweep on the opening day of the ISU European Speed Skating Championships in Heervereen (NED), adding the European title to the national and World titles he already had under his belt. Russia won the men's team pursuit with bronze medallists Switzerland writing speed skating history by seizing the first medal for their country at any European speed skating championships.

Ireen Wüst (NED) added a title she did not have yet to her impressive list of honour at the opening event of the ISU European Speed Skating Championships on Friday in Heervereen (NED). The reigning Olympic Champion left Russians Yevgenia Lalenkova and Yekaterina Shikhova behind to win the ladies' 1500m. Angelina Golikova, Olga Fatkulina and Daria Kachanova (RUS) made amends for their compatriots, winning the ladies Team Sprint.

The rising stars are about to take part in the Youth Olympic Games that will take place from January 9 – 22, 2020.