TOMASZOW MAZOWIECKI, Poland, Nov. 22 (Xinhua) -- Czech skater Martina Sablikova, the Olympic champion from Vancouver and Sochi, won the 3,000m on the opening day of the ISU World Cup Speed Skating here.
Sablikova, who crossed the line in 4 minutes and 6.133 seconds, proved her good shape after finishing fourth in Minsk a week ago.
"I was sick last week and I flew back to the Czech Republic to have my blood tested in the hospital. I did not skate the whole week. Thursday was my first day back on the ice," Sablikova was quoted as saying by the official site of the International Skating Union.
Dutchwoman Carlijn Achtereekte and Natalya Voronina from Russia were also on the podium.
The Netherlands won the men's team sprint in 1:20.061, followed by China in 1:20,841, and Canada in 1:20.966. Hosts Poland finished sixth.
"It's better, but it's still sixth place, not the podium. We went in a changed composition and with different tactics, but the level of our sprint group has become very even and there are more willing to ride in the team than places", said Piotr Michalski in an interview by Polish Press Agency.
In the women's team sprint, Russia beat the Netherlands to take gold. Japan were third.
