Winter Sports

Bonnie Blair set a world record of 38.69 seconds in a 500-meter World Cup speedskating race in Calgary, Alberta.

Blair broke her world record of 38.99.

Canada’s Susan Auch, who was skating against Blair, also went under the previous record, clocking 38.94.

Defending champion Christoph Langen, fastest in all four runs, steered Germany I to victory in the two-man World Bobsled Championships in Winterberg, Germany, with a combined time of 3 minutes, 46.91 seconds.

Pierre Lueders was far back in second place at 3:48.68, earning Canada its first medal since 1965.

Driver Eric Alard and Eric Le Chanony combined for 3:48.72 to win a bronze for France, its first bobsled medal since 1947.

Brian Shimer of Naples, Fla., and Randy Jones of Winston Salem, N.C., finished seventh at 3:49.25.

Dutchman Rintje Ritmsa won his first World Speedskating Championship after a season of dominating the field.

Ritsma, the two-time European champion and 1994 Olympic silver medalist, won both the 1,500- and 10,000-meter races in Baselga Di Pine, Italy.

Dave Tamburrino of Saratoga Springs, N.Y., wound up fifth overall.