Maltais sets speed skating world record

CALGARY, Canada (AFP) –

Canadian Valerie Maltais, pictured in 2010, broke the women’s 1,000m short-track speed skating world record on Friday, winning her qualifying heat at the World Cup in 1min, 27.653sec.

Canadian Valerie Maltais broke the women’s 1,000m short-track speed skating world record on Friday, winning her qualifying heat at the World Cup in 1min, 27.653sec.

Maltais broke the previous record of 1:29.049 set by China’s Zhou Yang at the 2010 Vancouver Olympics.

“When I started my race I just told my coach I was going to go fast during the race, but I didn’t say I was trying to break the record,” Maltais said.