Speed Skating ISU Single Distances World Championships 2017

[dcro 10,210]

Yay, Bloeman hit the wall. Gonna be a medal for Michael!

[dcro 10,210]

Still 4 Dutch in top 5

[heywoodu 15,253]

 

 

[heywoodu 15,253]

In the past three hours of TV coverage, I think at least 30 minutes have been spent talking about the wind machines  

 

Kramer didn't care so much about his time because of the advantage those machines create  

Edited February 9, 2017 by heywoodu

[heywoodu 15,253]

It's going crazy fast again, Nico Ihle in the lead in the 500m with 34.66 so far 

[heywoodu 15,253]

Jan Smeekens world champion 

 

If there's one Dutch sprinter I'd like to see finally take gold, it's Smeekens after his drama in Sochi 

[heywoodu 15,253]

Brianne Tutt  falling down in the team pursuit, a couple of meters before the finish while on their way to a very good time.. 

[heywoodu 15,253]

By the way, painful finish of the "Alternative Eleven Cities Tour" in Austria some days ago...context: the "Eleven Cities Tour" is the Netherland's biggest and most prestigious speed skating race, skated over 200km between eleven cities in the north of the country on natural ice (so frozen lakes and rivers), meaning it only happens when the winter is cold enough. The last time was in 1997 and every winter when it's starting to get cold and lakes are starting to freeze, the media goes crazy with predictions about whether or not the race will be held this time  

 

Since it's so long ago, they have an 'alternative' race on an Austrian lake every year, which is sort of prestigious as well. One of the best marathon skaters, Elma de Vries, sprinted on her way to the win this time.....then this happened

 

 

 

[heywoodu 15,253]

 gold in the women's team pursuit with a time that's only 0.06 seconds above the world record, this track and their wind machines are annoying 

[heywoodu 15,253]

That's it for Lee Seung-hoon's home hopes for gold in the mass start. Fell in the pursuit and it looks like he's gotten a blade of a skate in his leg.