Ireen Wüst opened the world speed skating championships in Salt Lake City with a win in the 1,500 metres, beating arch rival and world record holder Cindy Klassen of Canada. Wüst took the women’s all round title earlier this year.

In the men’s competition, Sven Kramer took gold in the 5,000 metres. Italy’s Enrico Fabris was second and Kramer’s team mate Carl Verheijen took bronze.
Kramer, hot favourite to win the event, is on top form this season at the age of just 20. He has taken the European and world all round titles, won the long distance world cup and improved on the 5,000 and 10,000 world records.