Irina
Stankina wins 10 km as Russia take team awards
Russia’s 20 year old
walking star Irina Stankina added another major
title, and a $20,000 Competition Award, to her
list of achievements as she overcame a strong
challenge from her compatriot Olimpiada Ivanova
to win the 10km race in 41:52 at the 18th
edition of the IAAF World Race Walking Cup in
Podebrady, Prague.
Stankina, who was crowned
World Champion (the youngest ever) in Gothenburg
in 1995 and won the World Junior title last year
in Sydney, paced her effort perfectly allowing to
scorch into an early lead with the first
kilometre completed in an incredible 3:44. At the
3km point Ivanova , her legs a blur, had a 21
second lead over a pack led by Stankina with two
other Russians, three Italians, four Belorussians
and Gu Yan of China prominent.
A the half way point,
reached by Ivanova in 20:51, Stankina made a
decisive move. She accelerated clear of the pack
and began to close the 18 second gap on her
team-mate. A fascinating contrast in style,
Ivanova -the shorter more muscular athlete -
showed tremendous cadence while Stankina -
curiously pigeon-toed - powered along with a more
hip twisting gait. With the Russians holding onto
first and second place the battle for third was
being fought out between Yaan, Erika, Alfridi and
Anna Sidoti of Italy.
As Ivanova began to tire,
Stankina closed the gap and with 7.5 kilometres
of the course complete, moved into the lead. Yet
although Ivanova had not received any
judges’ cautions Stankina had one red
warning on the board and was cautious, preferring
to build her lead gradually. With about two
kilometres to go, Stanina had a 6 second
advantage and was cruising to victory. Behind
her, Ivanova - the pain of her early pace etched
on her face - was hanging on grimly but in fact,
had a safe lead over Yan.
The battle for the team cup
was fought between Russia and Italy.
Unfortunately for Italy, their best performer
Elisabetta Perrone, twice silver medallist in the
’96 Olympics and ’95 World
Championships, had a poor day and finished only
25th. But with Erika Alfridi finishing
4th in a personal best of 42:31 and
Rossella Giordano and Anna Sidoti 5th
and 6th, Italy still scored 435
points. Yet Russia managed to score 440 thanks to
their third scorer, Tamara Kovalenko, who
finished 8th.
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