#SpeedSkating

After events in Nagano (JPN), Beijing (CHN), Calgary (CAN), Milwaukee (USA) and Tomaszów Mazowiecki (POL), this season’s ISU World Cup Speed Skating Series comes to a climax in Heerenveen (NED) this weekend. While Jordan Stolz (USA) already sealed the 500m, 1000m and 1500m Trophies last week in Poland, the men’s 5000m will come to a final showdown between Davide Ghiotto (ITA) and Sander Eitrem (NOR) in front of some 10,000 excited Speed Skating fans at Thialf stadium. The women’s 500m will feature a three-way battle between Erin Jackson (USA), Andzelika Wójcik (POL) and Yukino Yoshida (JPN).

Jackson in pole position 

With three contenders for the World Cup Trophy in the final two races, the women’s 500m is one of the most competitive distances this season.

Erin Jackson (USA) sits in pole position for the Trophy: “It’s just been placements all over the board for the women [this season],” she said after taking the lead in the rankings last week in Tomaszów Mazowiecki. “It’s kept kind of open, because I know I had a last-place finish in there when I just went easy in Calgary [due to a back injury], so I thought I would be out of the room completely, but it's nice that it's coming together and hopefully I can hold on to that.”

Jackson has collected 422 points so far, defending a 10- point lead over Andzelika Wójcik (POL). The winner of a World Cup race collects 60 points (the second-place finisher picks up 54, third place 48, continuing 43, 40, 38, 36, 34, 32, 31, 30, and so on…).  

Erin Jackson (USA) prepares for action during the ISU World Cup in Tomaszow Mazowiecki, Poland © ISU

Yukino Yoshida (JPN), who started the season with two wins from three races, is also in contention. The Japanese sprinter is ranked third with 392 points.

Before skipping last week’s World Cup in Poland, Femke Kok (NED) won all three 500m races in Calgary and Milwaukee at the third and fourth World Cup events. The reigning World Champion is one of the favorites to win at her home track in Heerenveen too, but she’s ranked only 19th in the World Cup because she missed the first two World Cup events this season due to a viral infection.

Beune’s unlikely chance

Miho Takagi (JPN) already secured the 1000m World Cup Trophy last week, but didn’t manage to seal the 1500m too. Coming second behind Marijke Groenewoud (NED), Takagi has collected 282 points in total, taking a 60-point lead over Joy Beune (NED) in the rankings.

To make sure she takes home the Trophy, Takagi must at least finish her race in Heerenveen. If Beune, who was absent in Poland, wins the race and Takagi doesn’t get a single point, the Dutchwoman draws level. In the case of a tie, the skater with the more World Cup victories goes on to win the Trophy. Although unlikely, Beune still has a chance.

Joy Beune (NED), who won 1500m gold at the ISU World Cup in Milwaukee, USA © ISU

Wiklund in shape despite back pain

The women’s long distance Trophy comes down to a battle between Ragne Wiklund (NOR) and Francesca Lollobrigida (ITA), with third-ranked Merel Conijn (NED) and even fourth-placed Beune also in contention.

Wiklund has a 45-point lead over Lollobrigida after last week’s gold medal in Poland. 

Following her 3000m race in Tomaszów Mazowiecki, the Norwegian got off the ice with a back problem, but she wasn’t too worried about it: “When I got to the finish line, and resting on my knees, it was just really painful to get up and down from that position, and when I got to the point to just take my skates off, I couldn’t bend over at all. I had something similar last season, so I think with just a few days and some painkillers it’ll be fine, because the shape is good.” 

Ragne Wiklund (NOR) in ISU World Cup action in Tomaszow Mazowiecki, Poland © ISU

In the women’s Mass Start, Groenewoud has already won the Trophy, taking four gold medals in the five races so far. Together with teammates Beune and Antoinette Rijpma-de Jong (NED), Groenewoud hopes to win the Team Pursuit Trophy too. The Dutch won the first two races, and must fend off Japan and the United States.

Ghiotto-Eitrem battle in long distances 

In the men’s competition, Davide Ghiotto (ITA) and Sander Eitrem (NOR) have been involved in a fascinating battle throughout the season. Ghiotto won the first 5000m race in Nagano, and smashed the 10,000m world record in Calgary, while Eitrem seized gold in Beijing, Milwaukee and Tomaszów Mazowiecki.

With 282 points, defending World Cup Champion Ghiotto has a six-point lead over Eitrem. For both skaters, winning the concluding race will be enough to secure the Trophy.

Davide Ghiotto skates to a 10,000m world record in Calgary, Canada © ISU

After the 5000m in Poland, where Ghiotto skated before Eitrem, the Norwegian said he hoped to be paired with Ghiotto in the draw for the final showdown in Heerenveen. The Italian, however, would prefer to set his own pace without the distraction of a head-to-head battle: “Usually I prefer to start before [my rival] so I can make my own race and not think about the time, but sometimes it’s different. Next week? I think in the end I’d prefer to skate first.”

Anyone’s game in Mass Start

In the men’s Mass Start, it’s still anyone’s game. Bart Hoolwerf (NED) leads the pack with 224 points, but everyone in at least the top five in the rankings is well within striking distance. Bart Swings (BEL), Timothy Loubineaud (FRA), Andrea Giovannini and Daniele Di Stefano (ITA) are all within 20 points of the Dutchman.

Swings already took the Trophy five times before (2022/23, 2021/22, 2020/21, 2019/20 and 2017/18). Last year’s Mass Start Trophy winner Giovannini has a busy program on Sunday. Before the Mass Start, he lines up for the Team Pursuit, in which world champion Italy is tied on top with the USA. Both nations have won one race and taken silver in the other. World record holders Norway, who set their mark a year ago in Heerenveen, are ranked third having claimed two bronze medals.

Bart Hoolwerf (NED) wins the Mass Start at the ISU World Cup in Beijing, China © ISU

Heerenveen program

The Heerenveen ISU World Cup Speed Skating will start with the first of two 500m races and the 1500m for both genders on Friday, February 28th, 2025. The program on Saturday March 1st comprises the 1000m for both genders, followed by the 3000m for women and the 5000m for men. On Sunday March 2nd, both genders will skate the Team Pursuit, the second 500m, and the Mass Start, before the event concludes with the Mixed Gender Relay.

ISU World Cup Speed Skating Series events 2024/25:

Nov 22  - 24, 2024                     Nagano / JPN 

Nov 29 - Dec 01, 2024              Beijing / CHN

Jan 24 - 26, 2025                      Calgary  CAN

Jan 31 - Feb 02, 2025               Milwaukee / USA

Feb 21 - 23, 2025                      Tomaszów Mazowiecki / POL

Feb 28 - Mar 02, 2025               Heerenveen / NED 

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