The Dutch have done well at the Essent ISU Speed Skating World Cup held this weekend in Chelyabinsk in Russia.

The men’s pursuit team won gold on Sunday beating the US team led by Shani Davis by a stunning three seconds. The team consisted of Sven Kramer, Jan Blokhuijsen and Wouter olde Heuvel. Germany came in third just after the Americans.

In the men’s 1000 metres, Dutch skater Stefan Groothuis came in first. The Control team skater, who won the 1500 metres on Friday, beat compatriot Kjeld Nuis by 0.07 of a second. Bronze went to Canadian Denny Morrison. Dutchman Sjoerd de Vries missed the medals by just 0.03 of a second.

In the women’s 1000 meters, Dutch skater Margot Boer took second place, just half a second behind Christine Nesbitt from Canada. The Dutch were in the top three up until the final race. Marrit Leenstra came third and Laurine van Riessen missed a medal by one second.

On Saturday, Jorrit Bergsma won the men’s 5000 meter, pushing Sven Kramer – who was just getting back into international competition after an injury sidelined him for a year and a half – into second place. Bob de Jong completed the Dutch success by taking third. 

Also on Saturday, Dutch skater Ireen Wüst won the women’s 1500 metre, beating Christine Nesbitt to gold. Marrit Leenstra took the bronze medal. Wüst won silver in the 3000 metre race on Friday.

(nc/ae)

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