British speed skaters took on competitors from Western Europe at the second Star Class event this weekend, 2-4 November, with Kathryn Thomson putting in a strong performance to achieve an overall second place finish in the Junior under17 classification.
Seven members from GB Short Track travelled to the event in Dresden, with the sixteen-year-old from Kilmarnock winning gold in the 1000m and picking up a further two bronze medals in the 500m and 1500m.
“I’m pleased with how Dresden went,” she said. “To come away with three medals is a good start to the season, and it’s my best ever finish in a Star Class event.”
Thomson, who earned her place on the GB Short Track squad last year, underwent surgery earlier in the summer for a recurring ankle injury. The event in Dresden was her first major international since the operation.
Performance Director Stuart Horsepool was pleased with her performance, commenting: “Kat was the stand out athlete this weekend. This was her first big international since having surgery so it was a great performance to start back on. This result basically means that she is the second best skater in her age group in the whole of West Europe.”
The Star Class series includes six events taking place across West and East Europe, with the fastest eight skaters from each side (East & West) qualifying for the finals in Baselga, Italy, which takes place on 15th-17th March 2013.
Josh Cheetham, Murray Cochrane, Farrell Treacey, Alex Stanley, Billy Simms, and Mari Deland were also competing this weekend with Mari, the newest and youngest member of the squad finishing 13th in the Junior Under 17 classification.
The next Star Class event takes place on 30 November – 2 December in Hasselt, Belgium.
Sportsister
The Women’s Sports Magazine
