Bart Hoolwerf (NED) cheers after winning the Men's Mass Start final during the second ISU long track World Cup tournament in Thialf (NED) @ ISU
A new generation is shaking up international men’s speed skating. Last week’s sensation Jordan Stolz (USA) crashed in the 1000m on the first day of the second ISU World Cup in Heerenveen. But with silver medalist Joep Wennemars (NED) and bronze medalist Marten Liiv (EST) there were two new faces on the World Cup podium behind golden Ning Zhongyan (CHN) in the 1000m. In the Mass Start, Dutch youngster Bart Hoolwerf took his career second World Cup win.
Stolz crashes
Stolz made all the headlines last week, dominating both the 1000m and the 1500m, but in Heerenveen his 1000m race lasted a little over 200m.
“I just felt the ice slip away and then I was gone,” the 18-year-old American said. Stolz crashed in the boarding, but got away without injuries.
His opponent and last week’s silver medalist Laurent Dubreuil (CAN) had to hold back and ended up in 10th place.
Although Stolz said he had not felt any extra pressure after making the headlines last week,
Olympic 1500m champion Kjeld Nuis (NED) thought the press had hyped up the American a little too much.
Kjeld Nuis (NED) reacts after the men's 1,000 meters in the World Cup tournament in Thialf @ ISU
“Everybody is referring to him as the new Eric Heiden [legendary former US speed skater], but he’ll have his setbacks too,” said the Dutchman, who finished seventh after returning from injury.
“Today he barely gets further than 200m. It’s not like he’s just going to skate a track record here easily.
“It’s great that America has someone who can skate in the spotlight again, but leave the bull**** out and just let him skate his races, let him grow and he’ll be great for the future of skating,” said Nuis.
New generation
When Stolz crashed, Ning had already skated the fastest time of the day in 1 minute and 7.86s. The 23-year-old Chinese skater took his career fourth World Cup victory. On the podium, Ning was joined by Wennemars and Liiv, who both took their career first World Cup medal.
Joep Wennemars (NED) competing in the Men's 1000m during the Speed skating World Cup in Heerenveen @ ISU
“It’s a new generation coming up. You could already see it coming, now it’s really happening, and I want to be part of it,” Wennemars said.
“It still feels a bit unreal. I skated OK, but it did not really feel as if I had much speed. Then I got to the line and I saw the time and I was just super happy.
“But then there’s more pairings to come, so you don’t have anything yet, but after they had all skated I ended up second in a World Cup all of a sudden.”
At 25, Liiv has five years on 20-year-old Wennemars, but the Estonian is part of the new generation too.
Marten Liiv of Estonia competing in the Men's 1000m during the Speed skating World Cup in Heerenveen @ ISU
“Last week in Stavanger I was in 16th or 15th place, so it was really unexpected,” said Liiv.
Yet the Estonian felt that he had been making slow but steady progression over the past year already.
“It began in 2020, I have been working hard since and I think it paid off.”
Hoolwerf conquers Mass Start lead
In the Mass Start, Hoolwerf also put the new generation on top. The 24-year-old Dutchman won the bunch sprint ahead of Chung Jae-Won (KOR) and Andrea Giovannini (ITA).
Last week Hoolwerf also won the bunch sprint, but that only left him with a bronze medal because Felix Rijhnen (GER) and Gabriel Odor (AUT) carried a long breakaway to the finish line to take gold and silver.
Bart Hoolwerf (NED) competing in the Men's Mass Start Final during the Speed skating World Cup @ ISU
“Last week I already got a lot of confidence [winning the bunch sprint],” Hoolwerf said. “And this time it all stayed together, so I could win in the sprint.”
Jorrit Bergsma (NED) was instrumental in keeping the pack together on Friday. Hoolwerf’s 36-year-old teammate had been absent due to illness last week. In Heerenveen he kept the speed high, to prevent others from trying to escape from the pack.
“I didn’t feel well last week,” said Bergsma. “I’m still not super fit, but I could do my work and keep up the pace. Bart already showed that he’s really quick - and today he finished it off beautifully.”
Thanks to his gold medal, Hoolwerf took the lead in the Mass Start World Cup ranking.
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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