Speed skater Lee, Dutch team break own world records

Salt Lake City (United States) (AFP) - South Korea's Lee Sang-Hwa broke the women's world 500-meter record Saturday for the third time in eight days to win an ISU World Cup Speed Skating race.

The Dutch men's team pursuit squad also broke their own world record on the second day of the three-day competition at the 2002 Salt Lake City Winter Olympic Oval.

Reigning Olympic and world champion Lee, racing in the last heat, crossed the finish line in 36.36 seconds, breaking the mark of 36.57 she set Friday in winning a 500m World Cup race on the same ice.

Lee also set a world record last Saturday at Calgary, Canada, with a win at the opening World Cup stop in 36.74, lowering the global mark of 36.85 she had established last January at Calgary.

American Heather Richardson was second on home ice Saturday in 36.90, with Russian Olga Fatkulina third in 37.13.

Lee's 400 points from sweeping the first four races of the season put her 120 ahead of Wang Beixing of China, who landed second in the World Cup chase.

The Dutch men's team pursuit squad won in 3:35.60, breaking the world record of 3:37.17 it set last week with a season-opening triumph at Calgary.

The Americans were second in 3:37.22 with South Korea third in 3:37.51.

Two-time reigning Olympic 1,000m champion Shani Davis won the 1,000 in 1:06.88 with Dutchman Kjeld Nuis second in 1:07.02 and Brian Hansen third by .01, duplicating their placements from last week's World cup opener in Calgary.

Dutch star Ireen Wust won the women's 1,500 in 1:52.08 to seize the World Cup points lead after two races with American Brittany Bowe second in 1:52.45 and Richardson third, another .10 adrift.