Metodej Jilek of the Czech Republic won the only 10,000 meter race before the Olympic Games at Heerenveen, recording a time of 12:29.63 which broke the former track record, while Dutch skaters maintained their qualifying pace for the Milan Olympics.
According to NOS from the Netherlands, 19-year-old Metodej Jilek claimed victory at the World Cup event in Heerenveen by surpassing the previous track record set by Nils van der Poel. However, earlier in the day, Vladimir Semirunniy had already improved that record in the B-group, setting a time of 12:28.05.
Jilek’s performance was faster than established competitors Davide Ghiotto and Timothy Loubineaud, finishing ahead of them and marking his first World Cup win, ending a winning streak by Ghiotto, the Italian world record holder. The event attracted a record 55 participants as athletes used this race to gauge their international competition ahead of the Olympics.
Among the Dutch competitors, Jorrit Bergsma was the highest placed at fifth, followed by Chris Huizinga in eighth, and Beau Snellink in tenth. Although they did not reach the podium, they secured essential points to keep the Netherlands on track to claim all available Olympic start positions for long-distance events in Milan.
This 10,000 meter race was particularly significant for Dutch skaters because their earlier performances at the 5,000 meter distances in preceding World Cups had been below expectations. Qualification for Olympic spots depends on results in a combined ranking of both distances. The next decisive event for the Dutch team will be the 5,000 meter race in Hamar.
Vladimir Semirunniy of Poland, who had set the new track record earlier, came close to the world record held by Ghiotto but fell short. His time of 12:28.05 was the third fastest ever in the 10,000 meter discipline. Beau Snellink, recently promoted to the A-group, opened the race with a time of 13:04.77, finishing tenth.
Jorrit Bergsma, the 2014 Olympic gold medalist in this distance, produced a steady race and ended with a time of 12:45.46. Although twelve seconds slower than Ghiotto, Bergsma expressed confidence that he could reach the Italian’s level in upcoming competitions and the Olympic Games.
Chris Huizinga struggled in the race as his energy waned towards the end, placing eighth with a time of 12:58.04 after losing his pairing against Ted-Jan Bloemen. The competition provided valuable insight into the international field just weeks before the Olympic qualifications.
