Long track speed skating
During the last century still skaters of several North European countries were competing to win the races on the classical distances. In the present century one country especially dominated the championships. Looking again at the all-round championships during the last 22 years, male skaters of The Netherlands realized 16 times the gold medal.
They were only beaten 3 times by skaters form the USA and 1 time by a skater from the USSR and in 2022 by a skater from Sweden. Sven Kramer won most (9) of the all-round titles for The Netherlands. The last three years he was succeeded by Patrick Roest.
With respect to the female skaters it was not so extreme but nevertheless the Dutch speed skaters won by far the most all-round championships, 11of the first 22 of this century. The Czech Republic won 5 times, Germany 3 times Canada 2 times and Japan once. In this case Irene Wüst collected the most gold medals (7 out of 11) for The Netherlands. Her most serious competitor through time was Martina Sablikova of Czech Republic who won all 5 gold medals for her country.
With respect to the female skaters it was not so extreme but nevertheless the Dutch speed skaters won by far the most all-round championships, 11of the first 22 of this century. The Czech Republic won 5 times, Germany 3 times Canada 2 times and Japan once. In this case Irene Wüst collected the most gold medals (7 out of 11) for The Netherlands. Her most serious competitor through time was Martina Sablikova of Czech Republic who won all 5 gold medals for her country.
In the first years of the century the German skaters continued their success of the end of the former century. However, they had to compete with skaters from Canada and The Netherlands. Anni Friesinger was the strongest female German skater in that time but I also like to ask attention for Claudia Pechstein although she only once won an All-round world championship (2000), she won each year a medal in the championship till 2006. In 2007 the Dutch skater, Irene Wüst, took over the leading position in the all-round championships mainly challenged by Martina Sablikova from the Czech Republic. They were only once beaten by the Japanese skater Miho Takagi and in the year 2002 by Irene Schouten who was as much a surprise in the female championship as was Nils van der Poel in the male championship. Below we will say a few words about each of the important competitors in this championship. If we look at the total number of medals, gold, silver and bronze, won in these 22 years in the all-round world championships the Dutch skaters also obtained considerably more medals than any other country
The table shows that the strongest competitors for the Dutch men were the Norwegian and American skaters and for the Dutch women the German, Canadian and Czech skaters. Remarkable is also the appearance in this list of two new countries Japan and Belgium
Nevertheless, the Dutch skaters were often so much stronger that the whole podium consisted of the skaters in the Dutch orange color.
Nevertheless, the Dutch skaters were often so much stronger that the whole podium consisted of the skaters in the Dutch orange color.
Was this a good development?
For the development of a sport as a whole this was not such a good development. It is of course not very good if one country becomes so much stronger than the other countries that the others have hardly any chance to win any more.
In 2004-2006 the success of the Dutch male skaters was interrupted by two skaters of the USA, first by Chad Hedrick and next by Shani Davis. This was an interesting development because it seems that skaters from other speed skating disciplines became interested to participate in the more traditional speed skating championships on ice. And could beat the Dutch long track speed skaters. However, after this interruption the Dutch speed skaters again won nearly all all/round championships.
For the female skaters the situation was a bit different because Martina Sablikova was able to compete with the Dutch professionals.
The two topers of the Netherlands, Sven Kramer and Ireen Wüst stopped in 2022 with participating in speedskating. They were thanked for their contribition to this sport with a big party in a full Thialf with many famous geusts and a very enthousiast public. It is clear that it is time for a new generation.
For the development of a sport as a whole this was not such a good development. It is of course not very good if one country becomes so much stronger than the other countries that the others have hardly any chance to win any more.
In 2004-2006 the success of the Dutch male skaters was interrupted by two skaters of the USA, first by Chad Hedrick and next by Shani Davis. This was an interesting development because it seems that skaters from other speed skating disciplines became interested to participate in the more traditional speed skating championships on ice. And could beat the Dutch long track speed skaters. However, after this interruption the Dutch speed skaters again won nearly all all/round championships.
For the female skaters the situation was a bit different because Martina Sablikova was able to compete with the Dutch professionals.
The two topers of the Netherlands, Sven Kramer and Ireen Wüst stopped in 2022 with participating in speedskating. They were thanked for their contribition to this sport with a big party in a full Thialf with many famous geusts and a very enthousiast public. It is clear that it is time for a new generation.
It is interesting that in 2022 suddenly the Swedish skater, Nils van de Poel, beat the Dutch skaters using a new training method while a female skater from Marathon skater Irene Schouten, beat the Dutch long track speed skaters. This gives hope that in the long track competitions people of more countries and from different disciplines will participate than in the last 20 years.
In the next section we will try to answer the question "why the Dutch speed skaters were so much better that the skaters of the other countries? After answering this question we will present some information about the top long track speed skaters of this century.
In the next section we will try to answer the question "why the Dutch speed skaters were so much better that the skaters of the other countries? After answering this question we will present some information about the top long track speed skaters of this century.