“Now you’re the GOAT,” was the text message Nils van der Poel (SWE) sent to his friend Timothy Loubineaud (FRA) on Friday night. The 29-year-old Frenchman had just won his career first World Cup race in a classical distance, breaking Van der Poel’s 2021 world 5000m record by over a second in a time of 6 minutes and 0.23s at the first day of the ISU World Cup in Salt Lake City. After the French explosion, Jordan Stolz (USA) was the only man to finish the 1000m under 1:06, taking gold in 1 minute and 5.66s. 

Loubineaud stunned by own success

After Loubineaud had taken his world record, Van der Poel was the first to send the Frenchman a congratulatory text. The Frenchman had trained with the double Olympic champion in the run-up to the 2022 Olympic Games and the two skaters had become good friends. 

Timothy Loubineaud (FRA) confirmed his arrival among the elite skaters by knocking a second off the 5000m World Record in Salt Lake City (USA). © ISU

Loubineaud still couldn’t believe what he’d done when he got off the ice.

“I never expected this in my life. As a French guy, we don't have any tracks in France, and I'm also not the most talented guy, at least I don't feel to be the most talented skater on the planet. 

“I used to see Sven Kramer (NED), Patrick Roest (NED), Davide Ghiotto (ITA)… those guys are way better than I am, and today I'm part of that group.”

Coming from inline skating, Loubineaud had his first experience on ice in 2017, when he started marathon ice-skating in the Netherlands. He made the switch from inline to ice because he thought he might be able to qualify for the Olympic Games on ice, and specializing in the Mass Start, which is most similar to the pack-style inline races he was used to. 

ISU vice president Tron Espeli presents Loubineaud with a World Record ring to commemorate his achievement. © ISU

Last year, Loubineaud won his first World Cup races in the Mass Start, but in the classical distances he never really got close to the podium. In Salt Lake City, he didn’t anticipate a top-three finish at all.

“To be honest, when I woke up this morning, I was planning to be on a 6.10 with my coach,” he admitted.

“The good thing is, I do everything by instinct. I started the race, and I didn't care about the time. I was just going. After a few laps, I don't know what happened, but I felt so good and I just kept improving the pace and improving. That was amazing. 

“Then, I realized that I could be on the world record time, when I saw the crowd getting more excited and excited, and my coach was screaming. I thought, maybe the legs are a little bit better than I expected.” 

With 6:00.23, Loubineaud left Metoděj Jílek (CZE) and Sander Eitrem (NOR) behind in 6:02.78 and 6:03.38 respectively. Both skated national records on the fast ice of the Utah Olympic Oval. 

Both Metoděj Jílek (CZE, left) and Sander Eitrem (NOR, right) broke their national records on a fast day at the Utah Olympic Oval. © ISU

Stolz takes revenge over Wennemars

After losing his world title to Joep Wennemars (NED) coming off a strep throat an pneumonia infection last season, Jordan Stolz (USA) got the chance to take on the Dutchman in a head-to-head battle in the first World Cup race of the new season.

The American restored the order, clocking 1:05.66 to leave Wennemars 1.35s behind in ninth place. 

Jordan Stolz (USA) was back to his best to win the first 1000m of this ISU World Cup season. © ISU

Stolz made the difference in the final lap, in which he was at least 0.30s faster than his closest rivals. 

“It’s a good one for the first World Cup of the year,” Stolz said. “Physically, I think I can keep getting stronger.

“My endurance is good right now. I've done a lot of training over the summer so obviously once I get later in the year, I'll be faster in the beginning.”

Damian Zurek (POL) was faster than Stolz in the first lap, but the Polish sprinter couldn’t maintain his pace in the same fashion. He finished second in a personal best of 1:06.02.

“It’s the first silver World Cup medal of my life, and I still have time to get in better, because the most important race is in Milan [at the Olympic Games].”

Damian Zurek (POL, left) won his first World Cup silver medal, while Jenning de Boo (NED, right) is looking forward to the weekend's 500m races. © ISU

Jenning de Boo (NED) took 1000m bronze in 1:06.34. 

“It was a fine race, not perfect, but for the first race of the season, it’s a great time,” he said.

“I’m happy to have this first race out of the way, because I always fear the 1000m races most. I’m looking forward to the 500m races now.”