Italy's Francesca Lollobrigida won the gold medal in the 3.000-meter race, the first speed skating event at this year's Winter Olympics in Milan and Cortina.
The legendary veteran (35) won on her birthday with a time of 3:54,28 minutes.
Thus, she set a new Olympic record, but also a track record and her own best result in an exceptional career.
The silver medal went to Norway's Ragne Viklund (3:56,54 minutes), while the bronze medal went to Canada's Valerie Maltese (3:56,93 minutes).
One of the favorites, Dutchwoman Joy Boone, had to settle for fourth place.
It is interesting that all three first-place competitors broke the previous Olympic record, and that 19 out of 20 competitors were better than the previous track record in the ice hall in Milan.
Bonus video:
