THE CANADIAN PRESS

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HAMAR, Norway - Lucas Makowsky of Regina won a silver medal in the men's 1,500-metre competition at a World Cup long-track speedskating event Saturday.

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THE ASSOCIATED PRESS / Terje Bendiksby, Scanpix

Lucas Makowsky of Canada skates in the men's 1500 metres race at the World Cup Speed Skating competition in Hamar, Norway, Saturday Nov. 21, 2009.

It was the first career individual World Cup medal for Makowsky, who crossed the line in one minute 45.40 seconds. American Shani Davis won the race in 1:44.27, while Havard Bokko of Norway was third in 1:45.61.

"It definitely feels good to be on the podium for the first time," said Makowsky, who also shaved two-tenths of a second off his personal best time in the distance. "To skate a personal best here in Europe is pretty good.

"I didn't come into this season thinking, 'I'm going to win a World Cup medal."'

Traditionally a distance skater, the 22-year-old hopes his success will continue in Sunday's 10,000-metre race.

"It's definitely a confidence-booster for tomorrow," he said, "but the 10k is a very different race from the 1,500."

Mathieu Giroux of Montreal placed ninth in 1:46.71.

Canada added a pair of top-five finishes in the women's 5,000. Clara Hughes of Winnipeg was fourth in seven minutes 0.24 seconds, while Kristina Groves of Ottawa was fifth in 7:10.48.

Martina Sablikova of the Czech Republic took gold in 6:50.07. She was joined on the podium by the German duo of Stephanie Beckert (6:52.79) and Daniela Anschutz-Thoms (6:59.62).