Golden girls: Dutch speed skaters pick up more world titles

Irene Schouten celebrates retaining her 5,000m title. Photo: Vincent Jannink ANP
Irene Schouten celebrates retaining her 5,000m title. Photo: Vincent Jannink ANP

Dutch speed skaters picked up several more medals on the final day of the world single distance event at the Thialf stadium in Heerenveen on Sunday, with Antoinette Rijpma-de Jong winning gold in the 1,500 metres and Irene Schouten prolonging her 5,000 metres title.

In the men’s 1,500 metres, Kjeld Nuis and Thomas Krol had to settle for silver and bronze as American teenager Jordan Stolz picked up his third gold of the championships.

Patrick Roest was the hot favourite for the 10,000 metres after his 5,000 metre victory but had to settle for fourth place. Gold went to Davide Ghiotto of Italy, with Dutchman Jorrit Bergsma taking silver and Ted-Jan Bloemen, a Canadian with Dutch roots, the bronze.

Sunday’s tally put the Netherlands firmly at the top of the medals table with seven gold from 16 events – five of which were won by the women’s team.

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