Claudia Pechstein has won over 5000 meters her 39th gold medal in German speed skating championships. For the 47-year-old a special title, because Pechstein ran without German competition.
A day before, the run took place over 3000 meters, which is why their German rivals Roxanne Dufter and Michelle Uhrig decided to skip the 5000 meters. The double burden would have been too big.
However, Pechstein did not have to run alone on the ice: for the first time international competitors took part in the German championship of speed skaters. As a result, the competition will receive three times the number of participants and a higher proportion of spectators.
Pechstein, five-time Olympic champion, was only second in the race behind the three-time Olympic champion Martina Sablikova from the Czech Republic, but took the championship.
"My goal was to run constantly, it's a good time jumped out," said record champion Pechstein. "That none of the competitors on the 5000 meters has made, I can not do anything."
Previously, the surprising resignation of the president of the German Speed Skating Association (DESG) Stefanie Teeuwen threw a gloomy picture last Thursday on the after the withdrawal of the main sponsor DKB financially lying on the ground.
Pechstein had then brought her partner Matthias Große as Teeuwen's successor into conversation. "This is just as unrealistic, as if I would suggest my wife for the presidency," said coach Erik Bouwman in the "Süddeutsche Zeitung". Bouwman had informed Pechstein at the end of October that he was "not in the mood" for training in the German team.