Stefan Groothuis has won the fourth national sprint speed skating title in his career at Thialf ice rink in the northern Dutch city of Heerenveen. The Control team skater was so far ahead even he called the difference "extreme".

No-one has ever skated the four distances quicker in Heerenveen. With 139,060 points, he was almost two points ahead of his nearest rival, Jan Smeekens with 140,870.

The consistent wins have boosted the speed skater's confidence and Groothuis sees himself as the favourite to win the World Sprint Speed Skating Championships in January in Heerenveen.

"You've got Lee Kyou-hyuk, Shani Davis and a couple of others. I just have to focus on my technique rather than the results. No-one has ever done well by staring at the final result."

Stefan Groothuis, Jan Smeekens and Jan Bos have secured their places in next month's World Championships. The fourth place will be decided during a skate off on Wednesday.

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