Jutta Leerdam realises she has kept her title. Photo: Vincent Jannink ANP
Speed skater Jutta Leerdam has won back her world title over 1,000 metres, with a time of 1.13.03 at the Thialf stadium in Heerenveen on Saturday.
Leerdam, 24, has dominated over the distance this season, winning gold in all 12 title races she has taken part in this season. Leerdam first took the world 1000 metres title in a surprise win in Salt Lake City three years ago, then silver two years ago in Heerenveen, followed by silver at the Olympics in Bejing.
Antoinette Rijpma-De Jong took the silver and Miho Takagi of Japan the bronze.
The men’s 1,000 title went to American Jordan Stolz in 1.07,11, who became the youngest medal winner ever at the age of 18.
Dutchman Thomas Krol took silver, in a strong ending to what has been a difficult season. Britain’s Cornelius Kersten was a surprise winner of the bronze medal. Kersten was born in Haarlem but opted to skate for Britain.
On Friday evening, the Dutch men’s team of Patrick Roest, Beau Snellink and Marcel Bosker retained their world team pursuit title. The women also also crossed the finishing line in the fastest time, but were disqualified because a portion of Joy Beune’s ankle was showing, which is against the rules.
Also on Friday, Femke Kok became the first female Dutch skater to take world championships gold in the 500 metres. Jutta Leerdam took bronze and Austria’s Vanessa Herzog the silver.
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