The Dutch โwomen’s pursuit team finished fifth atโ the World speed Skating Championships in โขHeerenveen,โข while Sven Kramer secured a dramatic victory inโฃ the men’s mass start, and Bob deโข Vries took silver.โฃ The unexpectedโค result for the โคorange Women, typically a dominant force, โคadds intrigue toโ the upcoming World Cup season and raises questions about their Olympic prospects.
The Dutch pursuit team, comprised of Marijke Groenewoud, โIrene โSchouten, and Lotte โvan Beek, โคclocked a time of 2:58.94, falling short of Canada’s winning time of 2:56.61.This marks their lowestโฃ finish inโ the event โin recent years,โ signaling a potential shift in the competitive landscape. โคMeanwhile,Kramer’s win in the mass start,a notoriously unpredictable race,showcased his tactical brilliance and enduring athleticism,solidifying his status as a speed skating legend. De Vries’ silver medal further โunderscored the strength of โคthe Dutch men’s team.
In other results, Patrickโ Roestโ won the 5000m in 6:09.92, and Kjeld Nuis took goldโค in the โค1000m with a time of 1:07.78. The championships, held at the Thialf iceโ rink inโ Heerenveen, Netherlands,โ drew topโฃ skaters โขfrom around the globe, setting the stage for a thrilling Worldโ Cup season leading up to the 2026 Winter Olympics โin Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo.
