Italian Francesca Lollobrigida claimed a surprise gold medal in the women’s 3000 meters speed skating event in Milan, while the Dutch skaters did not secure a spot on the podium.
According to NOS Schaatsen, Lollobrigida completed the distance in 3:54.28, setting a new Olympic and Italian record. The Norwegian athlete Irene Wiklund finished second with a time of 3:56.54, followed by Canadian Valérie Maltais who took bronze with 3:56.93.
Dutch world champion Joy Beune placed fourth, finishing more than a second behind the bronze medalist with a time of 3:58.12. Other Dutch competitors, Marijke Groenewoud and Merel Conijn, came in eighth and ninth respectively, both falling short of expectations. Groenewoud struggled with her race, completing it in 4:01.35.
Despite initial predictions favoring the Dutch and Norwegian skaters for medals, the Italian Lollobrigida shocked many by breaking the existing Olympic record during the eighth race. Prior to this event, she had not achieved any podium finishes in World Cup competitions this season and was not widely considered a medal contender.
Conijn, the Dutch national champion, posted a time of 4:01.65 early in the competition after a controlled race. The conditions on the Milan ice track, described by outgoing Olympic champion Irene Schouten as challenging, appeared to favor the stronger skaters in the latter heats. Groenewoud and Wiklund raced later but only the Norwegian was able to significantly improve the standings.
Beune had hopes for an Olympic medal in the 3000 meters but could not attain a podium position. She is not qualified for her preferred distance, the 1500 meters, but will still participate in the team pursuit event. Groenewoud and Conijn will continue competing at the Olympic venue in Milan, with Groenewoud scheduled for the 1500 meters, team pursuit, and mass start, and Conijn focusing on the 5000 meters.
The Olympic speed skating competition will continue on Sunday with the men’s 5000 meters, featuring Dutch skaters Stijn van de Bunt, Chris Huizinga, and Marcel Bosker.
