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Kearns • As the United States basked in a dominating men's 1,500-meter performance, a Czech woman captured the attention inside the Utah Olympic Oval.

Friday afternoon, Olympic gold medal winner and a multiple World champion Martina Sablikova skated the race of her life, breaking her own world record during the opening day of the ISU World Cup.

Competition continues Saturday at 12:30 p.m.

"The race was so crazy," said Sablikova, who shattered the 5,000-meter time by nearly three seconds. "After 3K, I was so tired."

Spurred on by her coach who told her, "You can skate faster," Sablikova finished in 6 minutes, 42.66 seconds. The old mark, set by Sablikova on this same track in 2007, was 6:45.61. Sablikova had to push herself the final few laps. By then, lap partner Stephanie Beckert of Germany, had fallen way behind.

Beckert eventually finish second by more than 41/2 seconds.

"Awesome to witness something like that," said American skater Jilleanne Rookard, who finished seventh. "It shows you that the bar is set even higher again."

Meanwhile, a pleased Trevor Marsicano edged Shani Davis in the men's 1,500 by the slimmest of margins, .03 seconds, 1:43.35. Though disappointed in not winning, Davis, who holds the world record in the event, has his eye on the bigger picture.

"This year has had its ups and downs," he said. "I'm starting to get back to where I need to be. It's a Good way to finish off the American circuit."

Davis skated after Marsicano, but didn't get any push at all from his racing opponent, Russia's Ivan Skobrev, who trailed by more than four seconds at the finish.

"I needed a little help today," Davis said. "Usually, I'm able to hold on on my own, but I've been skating a lot of races. I didn't have it the last 50 meters, but that's okay. My teammate came through."

Marsicano, won a silver medal in the 2010 Winter Games in the team pursuit, was surprised his time held up.

"The last four [skaters] are so close, I had to give it every thing," he said. "Any given day the results can flip flop. I have a lot of confidence that I can be at the stop."

martyr@sltrib.com —

Friday's results

Men's 1,500 meters

1. Trevor Marcicano, USA, 1:43.35

2. Shani Davis, USA, 1:43.38

3. Mark Tuitert, Netherlands, 1:43.54

Women's 5,000 meters

1. Martina Sablikova, Czech Republic, 6:42.66 (world record)

2. Stephanie Beckert, Germany, 6:47.03

3. Eriko Ishino, Japan, 6:55.07 (Japanese record)