Jutta Leerdam (NED) wins gold in the Women's 1000m during the ISU World Cup Speed Skating in Heerenveen, Netherlands.@ ISU
A crash in training and a bent skate could not stop Jutta Leerdam (NED) taking 1000m gold at the second ISU World Cup leg in Heerenveen on Friday. The Dutch Olympic silver medalist beat Beijing 2022 champion Miho Takagi (JPN) for the second week in a row. In the Mass Start Irene Schouten (NED) bounced back after last week’s bronze with gold after an impressive solo escape.
Dealing with trouble
Last week Leerdam and Takagi skated in the same pairing, with Leerdam crossing in front on the final backstretch. Takagi had to hold back and finished 0.80 in third place. In Heerenveen, Takagi had already set a time of 1 minute and 13.92s when her Dutch rival took to the ice.
Leerdam went all out against last week’s silver medalist Min Sun Kim (KOR). The Dutchwoman was the only one who managed a second lap under 26.8 seconds and held on to her speed in the final lap, leaving Takagi 0.15s behind.
Although she made it look easy on the ice, Leerdam had struggled in the run-up and during her race.
“I crashed in the boarding on Thursday and my skate got bent,” she said. “I skated well, but [after the crash] the feeling with a part of my body - that’s what my skates are to me - was completely gone.”
The crash and her damaged skates were not the only set-back.
“I then spilled hot tea on my leg yesterday, which left a bad burn on my leg.”
She never allowed herself to give up, however.
“Here at home in Thialf, I just want to show that I’m the best in the 1000m. So I did not want to talk about [the troubles] beforehand and just went for it,” she said.
“My race wasn’t good, but I learned that even if there are a lot of mishaps, I can still have the confidence that I can win.”
After last week’s disappointment, Takagi was happy to have had a clean and fast race, trailing Leerdam by just 0.15s.
Miho Takagi (JPN) takes silver in the Women's 1000m in the ISU World Cup Speed Skating in Heerenveen, Netherlands.@ ISU
“I’m second,” Takagi said, “but at least I'm happy to get closer to her. Last week, my body was a bit tight, not moving hundred per cent. [After this week] I still think I can do better.”
Leerdam and Takagi were the only ones to skate faster than 1:14, but Isabel Grevelt (NED) was the only one in the A Division to skate a personal best in the 1000m on Friday. The 20-year-old set 1:14.54 to take bronze, her career first World Cup medal.
Isabel Grevelt (NED) took a personal best in the Women's 1000m in the ISU World Cup Speed Skating in Heerenveen, Netherlands.@ ISU
Grevelt described her first emotions at this result: “Disbelief, joy and sadness. I had not hoped for this, nor expected it.”
Grevelt explained where the sadness came from too: “In the past I often had a hard time to motivate, and there was a time that I even thought I’d never be a top skater. It’s all going so well now, then all emotions come together.”
Dutch plan comes together in Mass Start
Last week the Dutch Mass Start strategy had fallen apart, but in Heerenveen the plan came together perfectly. After Claudia Pechstein (GER) had attacked early on in the race, none of the other teams were working to reel the German in, so Schouten and Marijke Groenewoud (NED) started chasing.
“If no one reacts [to the Pechstein attack], she may gain a lap in the pack,” Schouten explained.
Irene Schouten (NED) in action in the Women's Mass Start in the ISU World Cup Speed Skating in Heerenveen, Netherlands.@ ISU
“I picked up pace to chase her and I got a gap. [Behind me] Marijke held back perfectly, and I knew that I did not have to hold back because they catch up with me - Marijke will be there for the sprint.”
Once Schouten had reeled in Pechtstein, she went on skating over six laps solo up front. None of the other teams chased all-out. Eventually the pack entered the last lap when Schouten was already on the finishing straight.
In the bunch sprint, Groenewoud pipped last week’s winner Ivanie Blondin (CAN) to the line for silver. With two silver medals in a row, Groenewoud took the lead in the World Cup ranking with Blondin and Schouten joint second.
Program
The Heerenveen World Cup starts with the 1000m and the Mass Start for both genders on Friday. On Saturday the wWmen will skate the 1500m and the Team Sprint, while the Men take on the 500m and the 5000m, and the Sunday schedule features the 1500m and the Team Sprint for Men and the 500m and the 3000m for Women.
For all information about the ISU World Cup Speed Skating Series, please visit the webpage here.
World Cup Standings - Men
World Cup Standings - Women
Where to watch
Viewers will be able to watch the World Cup sessions (local time) via their national broadcaster/channel.
For countries where there are no broadcasters, the ISU will offer a live stream on the Skating ISU YouTube Channel. You will find the full list on the Where to watch webpage here.
ISU World Cup Short Track Speed Skating Series events 2022/23:
Nov 11 - 13, 2022 Stavanger /NOR
Nov 18 - 20, 2022 Heerenveen/ NED
Dec 09 - 11, 2022 Calgary /CAN
Dec 16 - 18, 2022 Calgary /CAN
Feb 10 - 12, 2023 Tomaszów Mazowiecki /POL
Feb 17 - 19, 2023 World Cup Final - Tomaszów Mazowiecki /POL
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