Dutch dominate European Championships as Verbij takes inaugural sprint title
BySportsbeat
Published 07/01/2017 at 20:50 GMT
Kai Verbij and Ireen Wust used home ice to their advantage as they picked up gold medals at the ISU European Championships in the Netherlands on Saturday.
Eurosport
Image credit: Eurosport
Dutchman Verbij became the first European sprint champion in speed skating history, clinching the title ahead of compatriot Kjell Nuis and Germany's Nico Ihle.
Having finished fourth and second in the first 500m and 1000m respectively on Friday, Verbij placed second in the second 500m, before sealing overall victory in the final 1000m.
He finished on 139.23 points, 0.47 ahead of Nuis in second, with Ihle taking bronze on 139.785.
"The skater who made fewest mistakes won," Verbij said.
In the women's all-around competition, Wust won her fifth European title in the event in dominant style.
Having won the first three of four races, Wust finished second behind Martina Sablikova to secure the gold medal, with Czech Sablikova finishing second overall. Antoinette de Jong of the Netherlands took the bronze medal.
"This gives me a lot of confidence towards the World Single Distance Championships and the World All-Around Championships, but I have to enjoy this title first," said Wust.
"Otherwise I'll get a reprimand from my mother!"
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