Winter Games: After a stumbling start: speed skaters are eliminated

The German speed skaters clearly missed the semi-finals in the team pursuit at the Winter Olympics in Italy and therefore no longer have a chance of winning a medal. The trio, made up of Josie Hofmann, Josephine Schlörb and Lea Sophie Scholz, took fifth place after 2,400 meters. Canada, Japan, the Netherlands and the USA qualified for the medal decider on Tuesday with the semi-finals and the final.

After just a few meters, the German team had virtually no chance of reaching the semi-finals because Schlörb lost his stride at the start and had to fight for his balance.

Team pursuit has been an Olympic event in Turin since 2006. Germany won gold both at the premiere and four years later in Vancouver. German speed skating has been waiting for an Olympic medal since the Winter Games in Canada 16 years ago.

By Editor