By Nick Butler

Elise Christie celebrates after crossing the line to win the second of two European gold medals today ©Getty ImagesGreat Britain's Elise Christie enjoyed a day of dominance at the European Short Track Speed Skating Championships in Dordrecht, The Netherlands, today, triumphing over both 500 and 1500 metres.


The Briton, who was disqualified in dramatic fashion from all her races at the 2014 Winter Olympics following a series of violations, had to overcome the judges as well as her rivals once again this time around, facing an agonising wait before they ruled she was not at fault when favourite Arianna Fontana fell on the last lap of the 1500.

With Fontana consequently fading to eighth, Sofia Prosvirnova of Russia took silver, four and a half seconds behind the British winner, while France's Veronique Pierron took bronze.

Christie was then similarly dominant over the shorter distance, crossing the line in 43.295 to win by 0.86 seconds ahead of the same Russian opponent Prosvirnova, while Poland's Patrycja Maliszewska took bronze. 

Sjinkie Knegt (left) won gold and silver for the host nation ©Getty ImagesSjinkie Knegt (left) won gold and silver for the host nation ©Getty Images



There was home success in the men's races, meanwhile, as Sjinkie Knegt won the 1500 event by a mammoth margin of over six seconds from Russia's Semen Elistratov, while another Dutchman, Daan Breeuwsma, took bronze.

But Russia did eventually secure a victory, when Victor Ahn, the South Korean-born three-time reigning Olympic champion, took gold, with Knegt and Elistratov having to settle for silver and bronze. 

Competition continues tomorrow in Dordrecht with the respective 1000m competitions, before the two concluding relay events.