Peder Kongshaug has successfully defended his European title in the 1500 meters at the European Speed Skating Championships held in Tomaszów, Poland.
NOS, a Dutch news outlet, reports on the event.
Kongshaug completed the distance in 1:46.08, finishing four-tenths of a second ahead of Vladimir Semirunniy, who had shown strong form during the event, and over half a second faster than Tim Prins. Kongshaug entered the competition as the reigning European and World Champion, making him the clear favorite. Semirunniy impressed on the 5000 meters earlier in the weekend and proved competitive in the more challenging 1500 meters, registering a time of 1:46.50.
Tim Prins appeared poised to beat Semirunniy’s time but encountered difficulties in the crucial last lap due to a challenging crossover with Gabriel Odor, which cost him his virtual lead. Prins ultimately secured the bronze with a time of 1:46.61. Earlier in the weekend, Prins earned a silver medal in the 1000 meters. Despite missing out on the Winter Olympics in Milan, which affected his form, Prins showed signs of improvement during the championships.
Other Dutch competitors, Louis Hollaar and Kai in ’t Veld (skating for Greece), finished fifth and sixteenth, respectively, in the 1500 meters. Later on Sunday, Bart Hoolwerf won a silver medal in the mass start event, finishing behind Belgium’s Bart Swings, who delivered a powerful final sprint. Andrea Giovannini from Italy took the bronze. Hoolwerf expressed that he was close to winning but made two errors in the final corner.
Swings’s performance highlighted his continued status as a strong contender for future events including the upcoming Olympic Games. Hoolwerf will not compete at the Olympics in Milan, where Jorrit Bergsma and Stijn van de Bunt are selected. Hoolwerf expressed disappointment about this decision, suggesting he also deserved a spot based on his performance and past results, though he acknowledged Bergsma’s credentials.
In the 500 meters, Polish skaters performed exceptionally well on home ice. Damian Zurek, who had already secured gold in the 1000 meters, won the 500 meters with a time three-tenths of a second faster than fellow Pole Marek Kania, who took silver. Norwegian skater Bjørn Magnussen earned the bronze. Dutch skater Merijn Scheperkamp came closest to the podium with a fourth-place finish.
Tim Prins, having raced the 1500 meters shortly before the 500 meters, finished eighth with a time of 35.49. Stefan Westenbroek fell early in his 500-meter race and did not post a time, marking his third fall during competitive racing this season. Westenbroek expressed frustration and a desire to address the issue going forward.
