Great Britain short track speed skating performance director Stewart Laing believes his charges are heading in the right direction following a medal-laden European Championships in Sochi.
[quote:This has been a really positive step for the whole team: Stewart Laing:left]
Ahead of March’s World Championships in Seoul, Great Britain laid down a serious marker of intent as they helped themselves to a number of podium finishes.
Elise Christie was the pick of the performers, with victories across the 500m, 1000m and 1,500m distances seeing her successfully defend her overall European crown.
Teammate Charlotte Gilmartin was not far behind either, finishing second overall after making the 1000m and winning the 1,500m B final.
While the men’s relay team recovered from a fall in the men’s 5000m final to capitalise on a mistake from Russia to take bronze overall – their first relay medal at European Championship level for five years.
And with World Cup events in Dresden and Dordrecht to come before the World Championships from March 11 and 13, Laing had reason for optimism.
"British Short Track Speed Skaters clearly made their mark at the European Champs this weekend,” he said.
“This has been a really positive step for the whole team as we now set our sights on the next two European World cups and the World Championships in Seoul.
“It was great to see our female dominance individually ranked 1 and 2 in Europe, and the men showed true commitment to come back from a fall and take bronze in the 5000m relay.”
Sportsbeat 2016