SKATING:Australia's short track and speed skaters have been blitzing the international circuit chasing qualification ahead of the 2014 Olympic Winter Games in Sochi, Russia.

World Championship PB for Lockett

AIS short track speed skater Deanna Lockett has recorded a personal best World Championship placing of 12th in Debrecen, Hungary.

Australia had three athletes competing at the World Championships, with Lockett joined by AIS team-mates Julie Jung and Pierre Boda.

At 17-years-of-age Lockett was again the stand out performer, with her 12th place result in the 1500 metres. Competing in her non preferred distances, Locket was 23rd in the 1000 metres and 35th in the 500 metres.

Julie Jung recorded performances of 30th in the 500 metres, 38th in the 1000 metres and 29th in the 1500 metres.

Our only male short track speed skater at the event, Pierre Boda, recorded his best result of 24th in the 1000 metres and also finished 28th in the 500 metres and 30th in the 1500 metres.

AIS Head Coach Ann Zhang was happy with the performance of Lockett after the race.

“The World Championships is always the biggest event of the year outside of the Olympics.”

“I was very happy with the performance of Deanna, especially after being on the road training and competing for so long this season.”

“Deanna continues to show she is up there with the best in the world and her 12th place was a good way to end the season.”

The World Championships was the final event of the season for the AIS program.

Greig 13th in World Cup final

AIS speed skater Daniel Greig has completed his most successful World Cup season to date, with some strong performances in the World Cup final in Heerenveen, Netherlands.

On day one Greig placed equal 13th in the 500 metres, with a time of 35.32, only .26 from the podium in a very competitive field.

The 1000 metres event took place on day two, with Greig finishing in 15th place with a time of 1:10.53, a strong time on a track at sea level.

Day three saw the second 500 metre event, where Greig posted a 14th place performance.

Overall, Greig was very happy with his first season racing full time in the World Cup A Division and an end of season World Cup ranking of 19th in the 500 and 1000 metre distances.

“My ranking is real positive to come out of the season, as I am now the highest ranked 1000m skater for my age in the world and the youngest skater in the A Division.”

“I look forward to bringing the ranking down as we close in on the 2014 Olympics in Sochi.”

Greig will compete in the World Single Distance Championships at the Sochi 2014 Olympic Winter Games venue on March 21-24.

Olympic Winter Institute of Australia (OWIA)