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HISTORY repeated itself for a distraught Elise Christie as she crashed out during her bid to win Team GB's first medal of the 2018 Winter Olympics.

The Scot was looking good in the 500 metres final, but Holland's Yara van Kerkhof collided with her balancing hand and the Brit slid into the boards, as Italian Arianna Fontana won gold in 42.569sec.

Elise Christie slid into the boards after crashing on the final lap in the 2018 Winter Olympics
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Elise Christie slid into the boards after crashing on the final lap in the 2018 Winter OlympicsCredit: Getty Images - Getty
Flying Scotswoman Christie was in tears once again after being taken out in the final
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Flying Scotswoman Christie was in tears once again after being taken out in the finalCredit: Getty Images - Getty

The 27-year-old had a hard time of it four years ago in Sochi when she was trolled on social media after crashing and taking out rivals - and she missed out on a medal of any colour then.

Today's final was exactly four years after the similar incident occured in the Russian final, when she collided with new champ Fontana.

Christie's hopes were looking up.

She took triple gold at the 2017 World Championships in Rotterdam, but she had never won a world medal at the shorter distance half-kilometre despite being the world record holder at 42.335sec.

Choi Minjeong was the home darling as she was announced to the crowd in front of a rapturous Korean audience, but the 19-year-old's day also turned into a nightmare as she was disqualified after crossing the line inches behind Fontana.

The 27-year-old slid against the boards after colliding with a rival's hand in the final
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The 27-year-old slid against the boards after colliding with a rival's hand in the finalCredit: Getty Images - Getty
Christie could do nothing as she saw her medal hopes come to nought in the 500m
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Christie could do nothing as she saw her medal hopes come to nought in the 500mCredit: Getty Images - Getty
Brit Christie loses her balance as she skids out of contention for gold in PyongChang
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Brit Christie loses her balance as she skids out of contention for gold in PyongChangCredit: Getty Images - Getty
The Scotswoman can only sit on her haunches after watching her rivals finish the 500m final
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The Scotswoman can only sit on her haunches after watching her rivals finish the 500m finalCredit: AP:Associated Press
Christie was clearly distraught during her post-race interview with the BBC
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Christie was clearly distraught during her post-race interview with the BBCCredit: BBC
She had to pause to wipe the tears from her eyes after missing out on a medal
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She had to pause to wipe the tears from her eyes after missing out on a medalCredit: BBC
Replays showed Dutchwoman Yara van Kerkhof made contact with Elise Christie's balancing hand as she attempted to head into the straight
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Replays showed Dutchwoman Yara van Kerkhof made contact with Elise Christie's balancing hand as she attempted to head into the straightCredit: BBC
An aerial shot shows Christie flying out of contention after contact was made with her arm
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An aerial shot shows Christie flying out of contention after contact was made with her armCredit: Getty Images - Getty
Christie was not in the ideal position at the back of the field during most of the race
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Christie was not in the ideal position at the back of the field during most of the raceCredit: AFP

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Holland's Van Kerkhof was promoted to silver and Kim Boutin of Canada to bronze after Minjeong's DQ that stunned the home crowd.

Edinburgh ace Christie was absolutely distraught as she did her post-race interview with a tissue, with the reality setting in that she was leaving empty handed.

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She said: "Just in my feelings I was knocked over, I didn't fall on my own.

"There was five people in the final and it doesn't give you any benefit once someone gets a penalty.

The speed skater gets consoled by her coaching team as she leaves the ice rink empty handed
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The speed skater gets consoled by her coaching team as she leaves the ice rink empty handedCredit: PA:Press Association
Elise Christie's mum Angela watches on and is clearly gutted as her daughter crashes out in Korea
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Elise Christie's mum Angela watches on and is clearly gutted as her daughter crashes out in KoreaCredit: PA:Press Association
The Brit held her head in her hands as she burst into tears after the incident
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The Brit held her head in her hands as she burst into tears after the incidentCredit: PA:Press Association

"It's just tough, I've worked so hard for the 500, it's just been taken away from me.

"In the semi final I got crashed in and ended up in lane four.

"I know it's short track and I'm supposed to be prepared for this but it still hurts.

"Hopefully I've got a few days to reset, it's about a week until my best distance, so that's as positive.

"I don't think I'll be taking much positives tonight."

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