Double Dutch Allround Podium - Canada adds another vice-champion

The final day of the combined allround/sprint championships in Hamar, Norway saw a pair of Dutch skaters stand atop the podium. The legendary Ireen Wüst found herself atop the podium for the first time in three years while Patrick Roest retained his Allround crown a little bit longer. Yesterday also marks the final race of Norweigian Havard Bokko’s skating career. 

By Maria Dalton

Photo by Maria Dalton and International Skating Union (ISU)

Wust back on top in women’s allround

Ireen Wust, who won her most recent Allround title in 2017, captured her seventh Allround title in Hamar with a strong day two performance. Wust finished atop the 1500m podium before battling things out in the final pair of the 5000m against her biggest competition, Canadian Ivanie Blondin. The legendary Dutch skater finished second in the 5k to solidify her place atop the Allround podium.

Finishing just behind Wust was Ivanie Blondin who became the second Canadian vice-champion of the weekend. Blondin, who has been on fire through the entire season, finished fifth in the 1500m and fourth in the 5k to finish in the second spot on the Allround podium. Rounding off the podium was Dutch Allround champion Antoinette de Jong. 

Roest claims third consecutive Allround title

Patrick Roest, the two time reigning Allround champion who was sitting second coming into today, clinched his third consecutive title and is now one step closer to equalling Sven Kramers record four allround titles in a row. He will have to wait two years for the next chance to defend his title as the combined championships move to only being contested every second year. The Dutchman bounced back after a disappointing World Single Distance Championships in Salt Lake City and dominated on day two of the Allround competition, winning both the 1500m and 10000m. While it was not necessary for him to win the 10k to clinch the title, Roest told Dutch media that he wanted to win the 10000m for himself. Sverre Lunde Pedersen, skating in front of a hometown crowd, would have to settle for silver once again after failing to catch up to Roest. The Norweigian’s spot of the podium was well earned especially given that he was involved in a serious bike crash this fall. Japan’s Seitaro Ichinohe rounded off the men’s allround podium to take home Japan’s fourth overall medal of the event. 

So long, farewell Havard Bokko

Norweigian Havard Bokko, who announced last week that he would be retiring after these championships, skated the last race of his career yesterday(1500m). Bokko, who was overwhelmed with emotions after his final race, has had a long and successful career that includes two olympic medals, five Allround medals, and a six medals at the world single distance championships. The 33-year-old skater was visibly moved by a touching tribute played at the end of his 1500m which included footage from across his career and kind words by his family and coaches. Havard Bokko will be missed by many and has been a mainstay on the Norweigian squad since his first international race over a decade ago. 

Stay tuned for our recaps from next weekend’s World Cup Final in Heerenveen!

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