Canada shines on 5000m at World Championships

The 2020 world single distances speed skating championships started today in Salt Lake City. 

By Jackob Savard

Photo: Maria Dalton

Some of the best skaters in the world competed in the ladies’ 3000m, men’s 5000m and team sprint events on the first day of racing in Salt Lake City.

Title #6 for Sablikova on 3000m

Czech skater Martina Sablikova won her 6th 3000m world title in career today. She registered a time of 3:54.252 to claim the first gold medal of the weekend. Dutch Carlijn Achtereekte and Russian Natalia Voronina finished second and third. 

Two Canadians on the 5000m podium

Olympic champion Ted-Jan Bloemen won the men’s 5000m world title with a time of 6:04.375. Dutch veteran Sven Kramer got silver finishing half a second behind the Canadian while rising Canadian star Graeme Fish skated his personal best time on the distance to finish third and collect his first World championship medal in career. The third Canadian to compete on the distance was Jordan Belchos who finished 5th. Patrick Roest who was unbeaten on the distance so far this season was disqualified.

Team sprints go to the Netherlands

The Dutch trio composed of Femke Kok, Letitia de Jong and Jutta Leerdam won the ladies’ team sprint in front of team Russia and Team Poland. In the men’s category, Dai Dai Ntab, Kai Verbij and Thomas Krol gave the Netherlands the world title. China and Norway completed the podium. Canadian skaters originally won, but they got disqualified due to their last exchange.

For the full results, click HERE

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