SPEED SKATING
Eitrem (NOR) fulfils childhood dream in front of home crowd
13 Mar 2025
Sander Eitrem (NOR) rode the waves of an ear-splitting Norwegian crowd to make his childhood dream come true. In a spectacular head-to-head battle with Beau Snellink (NED), the 23-year-old won the 5000m to grab his first World title. China was a surprise winner of the men’s Team Sprint to close out the first day of the 24th ISU World Single Distances Championships at the Vikingskipet.
Eitrem makes dream come true
After Sander Eitrem (NOR) secured the long distance World Cup Trophy in Heerenveen two weeks ago, he wasn’t able to train for a couple of days because he was sick.
“I was afraid I would not be able to skate the World Championships,” he admitted.
Eitrem got back on the ice last Saturday, but he didn’t really know what to expect when he lined up against Beau Snellink (NED) for the 5000m on Thursday.
Sander Eitrem (NOR) had to wait out the final pairing before he could celebrate his 5000m win at the ISU World Single Distances Championships in Hamar, Norway on Thursday. © ISU
Level over the first five laps, Eitrem took the initiative with a fast 28.80-second sixth lap, but he wasn’t able to open a big gap. A couple of laps later, Snellink had to hold back to give Eitrem, who came from the outer corner, priority at the backstretch. Was that the difference in the race?
“We’ll never know,” Snellink said. “It cost me .5 seconds. If it hadn’t happened, I could have maintained my pace and I might have saved some energy for the final bit. But it was a clever move by him.”
Eitrem said he didn’t speed up in the outer corner in order to force Snellink to slow down at the backstretch.
“I’m not that type of guy. I saw him on my left side and I had to do my own race. That was definitely not on purpose.”
Eitrem said the home crowd fuelled him.
“They helped me a lot. With a few laps to go, I had some energy left, and when I got a little gap I heard them screaming even louder. It was incredible.”
Eitrem eventually finished in a time of 6:10.05, with Snellink 1.67 seconds behind.
The Norwegian allrounder had to wait out the last pairing with long-distance rival Davide Ghiotto (ITA), before he could celebrate the first world title of his career.
Ghiotto, who broke the 10,000m world record in Calgary in January, stopped the clock at 6:13.55, finishing just outside the podium in fourth.
Eitrem was over the moon.
“It feels like a dream. When I was a little kid, I said to myself, I want to be a world champion one day and here I am.
“This was my main goal, but I want more. So, I hope you can see me on the podium one more time. Tomorrow, we have a strong team (in Team Pursuit), and also in the 1500m and 10,000m on Sunday.”
Snellink said he enjoyed the race and the crowd.
Beau Snellink (NED) skated to 5000m silver on Thursday in front a loud group of Dutch fans at the Vikingskipet. © ISU
“This stadium was just like Thialf (in Heerenveen, Netherlands). The crowd went completely wild, and it was a fantastic race. I think we gave the public a present, a man-to-man battle with Eitrem, and he was just a little stronger today. Next time I hope to be on top.”
After struggling with physical setbacks last season, Snellink was glad to be on the podium.
“This (silver medal) is something I really have to cherish. Last year was not so nice, and this year I showed a good level every race, and to top it off with this medal, I’m really happy.”
Semirruniy wins first senior medal
Eitrem wasn’t the only one who jumped for joy after Ghiotto finished in the final pairing. Vladimir Semirunniy (POL) couldn’t believe his eyes either.
Vladimir Semirunniy (POL) is looking forward to Sunday's 10,000m after his third-place finish in the 5000m on Thursday. © ISU
The 22-year-old skater won his career-first medal at a senior World Championships, and he said it would not be the last.
“This is my first international season at the senior level and this medal shows me that I can do more. We’ll see on Sunday in the 10,000m. I like the 10,000m even better (than the 5000m), because in the 10,000m I can switch off my mind and just go.”
China takes surprise gold in Team Sprint
After the 5000m dust had settled, China brought the first day of the World Championships to a close by winning Team Sprint gold.
After Xue Zhiwen and Lian Ziwen did first- and second-lap duty, Ning Zhongyan (CHN) stopped the clock at 1:18.13, to leave the Netherlands (Janno Botman, Jenning de Boo, Tim Prins) .29 seconds behind.
China completed the Team Sprint in 1:18.13 to finish .29 seconds ahead of Netherlands to claim gold at the ISU World Single Distances Championships. © ISU
World-record holders Austin Kleba, Cooper McLeod and Zach Stoppelmoor (USA) took bronze in 1:19.23.
To China coach Jan Bos (NED), the world title was a pleasant surprise.
“The lineup was a bit of a puzzle, but everything matched and everything went according to plan,” he said.
“It does come as a bit of a surprise, but last year we already got pretty close in fourth place, and the field is very close.”
Bos said the title means a lot for Chinese speed skating.
“Winning is good for self-confidence. We had the belief. We told the guys that everything is possible. If you just keep on pushing, the results will eventually follow.”
Hamar program
The ISU World Single Distances Championships comprise an action-packed schedule with four days of spectacular skating. The event starts with the 3000m for women and the 5000m for men, followed by the Team Sprint for both genders on Thursday. On Friday, both genders will compete in the Team Pursuit and the 500m. The Saturday program features the 1000m for both genders, the 5000m for women and the Mass Start for men, and the championships conclude with the 1500m for both genders, the men’s 10,000m and the women’s Mass Start on Sunday.
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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