Irene Schouten picks up third world speed skating gold

The look says it all. Photo: Todd Korol EPA

Irene Schouten picked up her third gold medal of the speed skating World championships in Calgary, Canada on Saturday with a spectacular win in the mass start.

Schouten and title holder Marijke Groenewoud were both favourites for the title, but Schouten’s chances took a dent around a minute into the race when she fell and hit the cushions. It took her two circuits to catch up with the rest and eventual victory.

Groenewoud took the bronze, ahead of home favourite Ivanie Blondin.

Schouten earlier took gold in the 3,000 metres and the team pursuit and will be in action again on Sunday evening in the 5,000 metres

Femke Kok picked up another gold for the Netherlands, in the 500 metres, but there was disappointment for Jutta Leerdam who lost her 1,000 metres title to Miho Takagi of Japan and had to be content with bronze.

Patrick Roest who won gold in the men’s 5,000 metres is taking part in the 10,000 metres with Jorrit Bergsma on Sunday and later in the evening with Kjeld Nuis in the 1,500 metres.

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