Dutch speed skaters have won gold and silver in both the men’s and the women’s European allround speed skating event in the Norwegian city of Hamar.

Jan Blokhuijsen and Koen Verweij came first and second in the men’s event while Ireen Wüst and Yvonne Nauta took the women’s gold and silver titles.

The men’s competition involves races of 500m, 1,500m, 5km and 10km; the women’s 500m, 1,500m, 3km and 5km.

Blokhuijsen is the 15th Dutch men’s title holder. Six times champion Sven Kramer did not take part in the Hamar competition.

After the event Wüst said she has never skated better. ‘I have had a fantastic European championship,’ she told Nos television. ‘Everything worked, everything was in balance. I now have to remain relaxed and hope I can take this confidence with me to [the winter Olympics in] Sochi.