YORK has a new British champion after long track speed skater Pippa Allen returned from the national championships with gold and bronze medals.

Allen, a 52-year-old mum and patent lawyer, won gold in the 3,000m race and earned a bronze in the 500m race at the championships.

"Over the longer distances I held my own against women, some of whom are half my age," explained Allen who has returned to the sport she first took up when she moved to the Netherlands to work for Shell International in 1992.

"It is the Dutch national sport and they are passionate about it, doing it and watching it – I took to the ice regularly every winter, when I lived there."

Allen even ventured out onto the frozen canals to take part in a 90km race at one stage.

She reluctantly hung up her skates when she returned to the UK in 1996 to live in York and became a mum, turning to running and rock climbing to keep fit.

However, a chance meeting with members of the British Longtrack Skating team sparked her interest in speed skating again.

And throughout the winter she has travelled to the Netherlands every other weekend to take part in training on the Dutch 400m tracks.

She added: “The Championships were my first, and only my second time racing.

"I was dreaming of big things, perhaps setting a British record, and trying to stay realistic about my chances.

"I was ecstatic when I discovered I had the bronze and then a gold. Even my dreams didn't prepare me for becoming a British gold medallist!”

Explaining why she enjoys the sport so much, Allen continued: “With the correct technique, speed skating not only looks effortless but generates speeds which would otherwise not be possible with the same expenditure of effort.

"It is all about being in a constant state of controlled falling, where effort generated by the falling body weight drives the blades.

"Racing around a 400m track at speeds in excess of 20mph in a state of constant falling is the most incredible and exhilarating sensation.

"When I am in the zone I won’t stop until my legs almost give way under me.”

Allen's return comes at a time when there is a resurgence of interest in the sport.

British skaters have posted ever improving results at World and European events, while the trend for inline skating has attracted a new generation to the sport

Allen is already working towards the 2017 Championships and has new skates for next season.

“For the first time I have access to professional training on a regular basis," she said.

"I will supplement a summer training camp in Inzell, southern Germany, with dry training here in York including miles on the bike.

"I ride stood up on the pedals to develop strength on the flat, along with swimming and technique specific training for which I use the facilities at Red Goat climbing wall.

"I love the buzz I get from competing, I have competed in numerous sports over the years but this is something new for me at over 50 years of age!"