Norwegian speed skater Sander Eitrem set a new world record in the 5000-meter race, becoming the first to complete the distance in under six minutes.
According to Vijesti, the record-breaking performance took place during the final stage of this season’s World Cup, which served as the last test before the upcoming Olympic Games in Milan and Cortina. Eitrem finished the race in 5 minutes and 58.52 seconds, beating the previous record by nearly two seconds and maintaining an average speed exceeding 50 kilometers per hour.
The 5000-meter event was notable not only for Eitrem’s record but also for the earlier performance of French skater Timothy Lubino, who had set a new course record of 6:03.65 just ten minutes prior. Eitrem, 23, competed in the final pair alongside Czech skater Metodi Jilek, and the two pushed each other throughout the race until Jilek faltered in the last round, allowing Eitrem to secure the historic time.
Eitrem’s coach was visibly emotional, and in a moment of disbelief, the skater threw his glasses into the crowd. Although the glasses were not returned, the coach later presented Eitrem with a gold ring engraved with the skating union’s logo as a tribute to the achievement.
Other events during the World Cup featured Dutch skater Femke Kok winning the 500-meter race, with Juta Lierdam finishing second. In the 1000 meters, Lierdam took first place while Kok was third. American Jordan Stolz won both the 1000 and 1500 meters and placed second in the 500 meters, signaling strong prospects for the Olympics. Norwegian Ragne Wiklund won the 3000 meters, while Dutch skater Joy Boone triumphed in the 1500 meters, although she will not compete in that event at the Olympics after being outperformed in the qualifying rounds.
