World Record on 10000m for van der Poel, surprise 1500m win for Wiklund

The 2021 World Long Track Speed Skating Championship came to an end today in Heerenveen.

By Jackob Savard

Photo: ISU Speed skating - Getty Images

On the final day of the 2021 World Long Track Championship, the ladies’ and men’s 1500m, the ladies’ 5000m and the men's 10,000m were on the program.  

Wiklund causes surprise in 1500m

Twenty-year-old Norwegian Ragne Wiklund caused a surprise in the 1500m by setting a new personal best of 1:54.613 and taking the coveted world title. Wiklund, who has never before won an individual World Cup medal, spoiled herself today with a World Championship title. Brittany Bowe of the U.S., and Evegeniia Lalenkova of Russia were second and third respectively.

Consolation for Krol

After being disqualified for a false start yesterday on 1000m, Dutchman Thomas Krol won the title today on 1500m. His time of 1:43.752, one of the fastest times in Heerenveen's history, put him at the top of the podium. It is Krol’s second career world title on 1500m. Kjeld Nuis came very close but finished the day in second place. Patrick Roest completed the Dutch podium sweep.

 

Another victory for van der Poel

Swedish sensation Nils van der Poel won his second World Championship title of the weekend with a legendary performance on 10,000m. The 24-year-old skater skated the new world record on the distance of 12:32.949. This record is very spectacular considering it was not set in Salt Lake City or Calgary, where altitude usually favours such marks. The previous world record of 12:33.86 belonged to Canadian Graeme Fish, who was absent this weekend. Jorrit Bergsma from the Netherlands finished second at 12:45.868 and Russia's Alex Rumyantsev was third with a new personal best of 12:54.746.

Schouten victorious in the 5000m

Irene Schouten, who started in the first of six pairs, skated her personal best and set the reference time of 6:48.537. No one was able to dethrone her in the next five pairs. Schouten added this world championship title to her two bronze medals on 3000m and mass start from earlier in the championship. Russia's Natalia Voronina finished second while Dutch Carlijn Achtereekte took third place.

For the complete results, click HERE

For our day 1 recap, click HERE

For our day 2 recap, click HERE

For our day 3 recap, click HERE

Don't forget to subscribe to our newsletter, follow our Facebook page, our Instagram account and our Twitter account for daily news and results about speed skating.