At the Dutch national skating championships in Heerenveen, Ireen Wüst won the 1500 metres on Sunday. The Olympic Champion only just managed to stay in front of Marrit Leenstra. Title holder Annette Gerritsen was unable to race due to a hamstring injury.

On Saturday Wüst won the de 3 kilometre race. Leenstra won the 1000 metre race. Wüst also secured her place in the World Championships in the 1000 metres.

Ireen Wüst did not expect to be fit for competion so quickly after a stomach operation in the summer.

In the men's competition Simon Kuipers won the 1500 metres, easily beating Olympic champion Mark Tuitert.

Kuipers also beat Tuitert in the 1000 metres on Saturday. He accelerated in the final round, breaking Dutch speed skating records.

The results of the national championships are important for placement in the World Championships this winter.

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