New Zealand speed skaters Peter Michael, Shane Dobbin and Reyon Kay have made a statement in the first event of the World Cup season, claiming a bronze medal in the team pursuit.
Racing in Heerenveen in the Netherlands the Kiwi trio posted a time of 3.42.22 to place third behind Korea and Norway.
Pete Michael posted a photo on social media of the trio smiling, with the caption ‘first team pursuit, first podium'.
It’s a strong result for the Kiwis in the first of three Olympic Winter Games qualifying events for the team pursuit.
The speed skaters now have another three World Cups in quick succession. The first in Stavanger, Norway (Nov 17 - Nov 19), then Calgary, Canada (Dec 01 - Dec 03) and Salt Lake City, USA (Dec 08 - Dec 10).
The results from the competitions will help to decide the quota places for each country at the Olympic Winter Games 2018 in PyeongChang. A total of 180 Speed Skaters will compete at PyeongChang 2018.