Sochi 2014 Olympian Charlotte Gilmartin insists her best is yet to come as she picked up a bronze medal at the European Short Track Speed Skating Championships in Turin.
Gilmartin, who competed for Team GB over the 500m and 1500m distances in 2014, sealed her third European medal in the 500m on Saturday, having won 3000m gold and overall silver at last year’s edition.
The 26-year-old clocked a time of 44.074 seconds in the final to edge the final spot on the podium ahead of Arianna Fontana, with Rianne de Vries of the Netherlands and Fontana’s Italian compatriot Martina Valcepina winning gold and silver respectively.
It had proven to be an up and down day in Italy for Gilmartin, after she narrowly missed the cut for the 1500m final.
Placing second in the B final, she eventually finished eighth overall in that event, before going on to boost her day no end with a well-deserved medal over the shorter distance.
But despite admitting she was thrilled with the end result, Gilmartin is confident she still has plenty in her locker with qualification for next year’s Winter Olympic Games in Pyeongchang looming.
“It’s been a rollercoaster day, I felt like I improved in the 1500m from yesterday, but there is more to work on tactically and I know I have more to give,” she said.
“I was getting speed at the end which gave me confidence. I’m pleased with the eighth overall.
“In the 500m, I gave it my all in every round, drawing on my training experience and the speed I was getting here already in the other distances.
“I’m happy with my moves, but still have work to do on my starts in this shorter distance. It’s great to come away with bronze.”
Sportsbeat 2017