  Canadian Denny Morrison reacts after winning the 1500 metres race during the 2012 World Distance Speed Skating Championships in the Thialf Stadium in Heerenveen, on March 22, 2012. (AFP PHOTO/ ANP/ VINCENT JANNINK) |
Canadian Denny Morrison captured the gold medal Thursday in the 1,500 metres at the ISU world single-distances speed skating championships at Heerenveen, the Netherlands.
Morrison, 26, had a time of one minute 46.44 seconds, winning his first international race of the season.
"I had a great opener, probably the fastest opener I've ever done, actually," the native of Fort St. John, B.C., said.
Russian Ivan Skobrev was .05 seconds behind and took the silver. He edged bronze-medal winner Havard Bokko of Norway by .01 seconds.
Cindy Klassen was Canada's top female competitor Thursday, placing sixth in the 3,000 metres.
