Young speed skater Freddie Polak tops GB rankings at international tournaments

Freddie Polak recorded strong finishes in back-to-back international tournaments, placing as the highest-ranked British skater in both.

The 13-year-old speed skater started his hectic week in Bormio, northern Italy, where he recorded an overall sixth-placed finish in the Junior D classification at the Alta Valtellina Trophy.

He finished with a best time of 01-22-807, with a fourth-placed finish in both the 777m and 500m events.

The Gonalston skater said it was a solid return to action.

On to the Starclass 1, in Bergamot, near Milan, Polak was again the highest-placed Brit, however, an injury problem saw him finish 17th.

He was forced to pull out after two distances.

Polak is now fighting fit to return to action closer to home in Guildford on Saturday, with his next Starclass event in Lommel, Belgium, on November 23.