The first day of the World Allround Speed Skating Championships features a competitive field across both the women’s and men’s events, with several athletes positioned as podium contenders on various distances.
According to coverage from schaatsen.nl, the women’s 500 meters includes multiple contenders for medals, competing across different heats. Valerie Maltais (heat 3), Joy Beune (4), Antoinette Rijpma-de Jong (6), Ragne Wiklund (7), Francesca Lollobrigida (9), Marijke Groenewoud (10), and Miho Takagi (11) are all in contention for the podium.
In the women’s 3000 meters, Antoinette Rijpma-de Jong appears in the first heat as she has not competed in the distance yet this season. The two athletes ending their careers, Miho Takagi and Martina Sablikova, skate in heats 6 and 7, respectively. Ragne Wiklund follows in heat 10, with Valerie Maltais and Francesca Lollobrigida competing afterward. The final heat features significant Dutch participation with Joy Beune facing Marijke Groenewoud.
On the men’s side, skaters are expected to limit their losses on the 500 meters to Jordan Stolz, who is a strong favourite. Early heats include Metodej Jilek (3), Sander Eitrem (4), Stijn van de Bunt (5), and Chris Huizinga (6), who have comparatively weaker 500-meter results. Vladimir Semirunniy and Marcel Bosker skate in heats 8 and 9, leading up to the anticipated heat 10 where Jordan Stolz aims to improve on his championship record of 34.10 seconds. The final heat of the 500 meters features Norwegian skaters Peder Kongshaug and Finn Elias Haneberg.
Jordan Stolz is expected to attempt to approach his personal best time of 6:14.76 in the 5000 meters during heat 3, though this may be challenging given it is his sixth race in three days. Stijn van de Bunt competes against Riccardo Lorello in that heat, while Marcel Bosker skates against Vladimir Semirunniy in heat 9. Chris Huizinga faces Olympic champion Sander Eitrem, and the last skaters on the ice will be Peder Kongshaug and Metodej Jilek.
The full draw and schedule provide a detailed outlook for the first day of competition at the World Allround Speed Skating Championships, highlighting significant matchups and potential key moments in both men’s and women’s events.
