A Team GB speedskater was involved in a nasty smash during Sunday’s action at the Milano-Cortina Winter Olympics. Ellia Smeding had been competing in the women’s 500m event when she tumbled on the ice and flew straight into the protective barriers surrounding the rink.
Thankfully for Smeding, she had already crossed the finish line when the fall took place, having recorded a time of 38.93 seconds. Despite taking an almighty whack on the rock-solid ice, the super-fast skater didn’t appear hurt by the incident, and walked away unharmed.
The same can’t exactly be said about the ice, as a “nasty gauge” – as described by the commentator – was taken out of the rink. So much so, officials at the Milano Speed Skating Stadium had to pause proceedings while they fixed the issue.
The commentator said: “They’re out onto the ice here already, the team to repair it. Quite a nasty gauge taken out of the ice by the back end of her blade.” While the co-commentator added: “You see she puts her skate forward. She just lost her balance a little bit, the left skate slips out and you see how absorbent these barrier cushions are here.”
Smeding finished 25th overall in the women’s 500m event, but has placed better in the longer 1000m discipline earlier in the week. The Team GB ace finished 11th in the 1000m race, but had been left somewhat disappointed after finishing just 0.003 seconds outside of the top 10.
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Writing on Instagram, she said: “Proud of myself for fighting my way back to be competing with the best in the world on the biggest stage. A bit heartbroken I wasn’t able to put down the race I know I’m capable of, sacrificed so much for and dreamt of. Being 0.003 away from top-10 stings, equally pretty cool to be consistent when it mattered. If yesterday inspired just one person to pick up a pair of skates, my mission is accomplished. On to the next one.”
Smeding will have another opportunity to impress when she returns to the rink for the 1500m event, pencilled in to take place later this week. She had taken up a spot in the 500m race at short notice, with Smeding’s preferred disciplines being the longer races.