Christie praises teammates as British quartet win mixed relay bronze

Elise Christie praised her teammates after Great Britain's mixed relay team scooped a historic bronze medal at the Short Track World Cup in Dresden.

The quartet of Christie, Jack Burrows, Kathryn Thomson and Farrell Treacy finished behind winners Russia and silver-medallists Hungary. They had finished fourth position but leaders Korea were penalised, meaning the British team completed the podium places. It was the first medal Britain has won in the 2000m mixed relay, which is a new event on the ISU Short Track World circuit this season and will also feature in the 2022 Winter Olympic program in Beijing.

2017 triple world champion Christie said: “I’m used to winning individual medals on the world stage but it’s super cool to make history with the mixed relay team. I’m proud of all the team.”

GB Short Track Coach Paul Worth added: “I’m really proud of the team this weekend.

“They have worked so hard this season and it’s nice for them to see the rewards.

“The mixed relay is an exciting new event that suits our teams strengths and we will be looking to build on this moving forwards.”

In the individual events at Dresden, Christie finished in fifth place overall in the ladies’ 500m, as Italy’s Martina Valcepina won gold with a time of 43.049s.

The final ISU World Cup event of the season takes place in Torino, Italy from February 8 to 10 and will be followed by the ISU 2019 World Championships taking place from March 8 to 10 in Bulgaria.

Sportsbeat 2019