SOCHI , Russia, Feb. 11 (UPI) -- Florida native Brittany Bowe made her Olympic debut Tuesday competing in the 500-meter speed skating event in Sochi, Russia.
While the World Cup champion speed skater finished 13th on the race, she is considered a favorite to medal in the 1,000-meter event on Thursday.
The 25-year-old skater holds the world record in the 1,000-meter speed skating category.
During Tuesday's race Bowe skated a 38.81 seconds in her first heat finishing in the 17th spot. She shaved 0.44 seconds off her second heat to finish in 38.37. Her combined total was 77.18 seconds.
South Korea's Lee Sang-hwa came out victorious in the event -- she also won the gold in the Vancouver 2010 Games -- with a combined total of 74.70.
Bowe will go on to compete on the 1,000-meter race at 9 a.m. EST Thursday and the 1,500 race at 9 a.m. Sunday EST.
[Ocala]
