Skating: Kazakhstan speed skaters joined world's Top-20

Two Kazakhstan speed skaters have made it into the Top-20 of the world's best speed skaters, Alau Ice Palace’s press-service reports. The ranking is based on results of all the races of the current season. Only the fastest speed skaters can get to the top of the rating. If a skater gets into this top list he or she has a chance to qualify for the World Championship or Olympic Games in speed skating. This is a new chance for Kazakhstan speed skaters who failed to gain gold in the World Cup finals. Kazakhstan’s Yekaterina Aidova is number 13 in the 1000m race. Dmitry Babenko is ranked 7th in the 3000m and 10000m races and number 13 in the 5000m race. The standing might further change in favor of Kazakhstan skaters after the World Speed Skating Championship in Salt Lake City and the World Speed Skating Cup in Calgary. Denis Kuzin and Fyodor Mezentsev are Kazakhstan's favorites who are also expected to join the Top-20 in the 1000-meter race. Aydova is also likely to improve her 1000-meter result and fight for a better place among speed skaters in the 500m race. Dmitry Babenko is also capable of setting a new Kazakhstan record in the 5000-meter race and to become one of the world's best speed skaters.