It was the first time she started as the outright favorite in a World Championships race, and Ragne Wiklund (NOR) lived up to expectations. The Norwegian long distance World Cup winner beat Olympic Champion Irene Schouten (NED) in the 3000m at the ISU World Single Distance Championships in Heerenveen on Thursday. Schouten came second and Martina Sáblíková (CZE) took bronze. Canada concluded the Women’s competition on the opening day with gold in the Team Sprint.
Ragne Wiklund celebrates her 3000m World title in Heerenveen @ISU
Confirmation for happy Wiklund
Schouten started in the fifth pairing of ten, after Junior World Champion Momoka Horikawa (JPN) had set the fastest time in a personal best of 4:02.34 seconds. The Olympic Champion, who took a four-week break after the Dutch Championships in January to overcome mental fatigue, stopped the clock at 3:57.40.
“When I crossed the finish line, I already knew it was not enough,” she said.
Irene Schouten (left) congratulates Wilklund on winning 3000m gold @ISU
Schouten turned out to be right, but there was only one woman able to prove it.
Wiklund’s pair-mate Valérie Maltais (CAN) started out very fast, pushing the Norwegian to maintain a blistering pace of sub-31 laps until the 2200m split. Finishing off with laps of 31.09 and 31.60, she finished 0.54 ahead of Schouten.
“I knew it was possible, but I knew I had to skate really well too, so I didn’t take anything for granted,” the pre-race favorite admitted.
Wiklund celebrates with the Norwegian fans in Heerenveen @ISU
“I guess that last time (her first 1500m title in 2021), I felt like… not that I didn't deserve it, but it was more like how did I get up here? Now it feels more as a confirmation.
“I’m confident in this track and I have only good experiences here, also with the audience.”
Schouten just doesn’t like losing
Schouten reflected on her second place: “I’m really happy with the way I got back, considering how I felt a month ago, but I still just can’t stand losing. But Wiklund is the best, period. She skated half a second faster, although I never felt that I would not be able to beat her.”
Olympic Champion Schouten had to settle for silver in the 3000m @ISU
Sáblíková adds first Worlds bronze
Czech veteran Martina Sáblíková already had 22 medals from twelve different World Single Distance Championships but had never claimed a bronze until Thursday. After a season hampered by injury and illness, she finished in 3:58.35 to take the final spot on the podium.
“It’s a real surprise after this whole season. This 3000m was so fast. Before the race I said to my coach: it’s impossible for me to skate an under 31 lap. You have to have the power to push in the corners, and I'm not sure now if that’s possible for me.”
Sáblíková celebrated her first Worlds bronze in Heerenveen @ISU
Sáblíková also enjoyed watching Wiklund race: “I can only take my hat off for Ragne. I don’t have words. I already said it before the races: I saw her in training and she was skating so well and she showed so much joy in skating. There was only one girl who could win today.”
Canadian team spirit
Brooklyn McDougall, Carolina Hiller and Ivanie Blondin (CAN) brought home the Team Sprint title in 1:26.29, edging out Team USA (McKenzie Browne, Erin Jackson, Kimi Goetz) by 0.29. China (Zhang Lina, Jin Jingzhu, Li Qishi) took bronze in 1:27.86.
Canada celebrate victory in the Women's Team Sprint @ISU
McDougall was as surprised as she was happy with the medal: “We don't necessarily train together we’re all on separate teams, but coming together and executing that well together is pretty amazing. It's a really important race to us.”
Hiller explained: “We don't really train together. The day before team sprint or something, if anything, we'll do some quick ones, but it works.”
Canada credited their strong team spirit for the gold medal win in Heerenveen @ISU
Blondin, who is also an important engine in Canada’s World Cup winning Team Pursuit squad, knew the secret: “I think it’s the Canadian mentality, in team events we cover each other’s back and we don’t leave anyone behind.”
Program
The World Single Distance Championships start with the 3000m for Women, the 5000m for Men and the Team Sprint events for both genders on Thursday. On the following two days the program is similar for both genders. Friday features the Team Pursuit and the 500m, and Saturday starts with the Mass Start semi-finals, followed by the 1000m, to conclude with the Mass Start finals. On Sunday both genders will contest the 1500m gold, before the event closes off with the 10,000m for men and the 5000m for women.
Where to Watch
Viewers will be able to watch the races via their national broadcasters’ 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.
Subscribe to the ISU Newsletter to receive the latest information about events, and to the Skating ISU YouTube Channel to receive notifications when live streams start or new videos are published.
For further information on the ISU World Speed Skating Championships, visit the event webpage here.
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