Luxembourg sprinter Patrizia van der Weken clocked a new national record of 7.01 seconds over 60 metres at the Orlen Copernicus Cup in Toruń, Poland, sprinting to second place. The Orlen Copernicus Cup forms part of the World Athletics Indoor Tour Gold series.
In a photo finish, the Luxembourg athlete narrowly missed victory, finishing just behind Italy’s Zaynab Dosso. Britain’s Amy Hunt took third place, also recording a personal best.
According to the Luxembourg Athletics Federation, the new national record currently ranks as the 20th fastest time in the world this season and the eighth fastest in Europe.
Van der Weken described the performance as a fantastic day and said the time of 7.01 seconds felt almost unreal. She had sensed she was capable of running fast but had not specifically anticipated such a mark. She added that the result confirms that her preparation is heading in the right direction, and she suggested that breaking the seven-second barrier in the coming weeks could now be within reach.
The World Indoor Championships take place in four weeks’ time, and expectations will now be high as Luxembourg’s leading sprinter looks to build on her impressive form.
