7 December 2014 – Berlin, GERMANY
Shani Davis picked up more precious World Cup points but still finds himself looking for an elusive podium finish on the young season.
Racing in the WC circuit’s first European stop, Shani placed 5th at 1500m (1:47.58), edging his pair in a gritty finish from the last outer lane. It was his 3rd straight top-6 finish.
In a topsy-turvy season, there have been three first-time 1500m WC winners and six different skaters to reach the podium. Such parity means that Shani remains in the hunt for the Overall WC points lead: he’s currently 7th after three of seven 1500m races, less than 100 points out of first.
Shani hasn’t fared quite as well in the 1000m results column, although his split times indicate that if he can find a bit more opening speed his trademark finishing kick can still propel him higher in the standings.
Said Davis following his third straight podium-less weekend: “I still feel like my top speed will come around and that I’ll be in the hunt for a win this season. I also have some technical things to work on, which I’ll address at home after [the fall World Cups].”
Shani is second all-time in World Cup victories (58) and in career World Cup points (11,934) and he has owned the 1000m and 1500m World Records since 2009.
The fall WC series concludes in The Netherlands next weekend on Heerenveen’s Thialf oval, where Shani has fared well historically.
[photo by Martin de Jong]
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