Dutchwoman Ireen Wust shattered Canada’s confident hopes of an Olympic gold medal in the women’s 1500m speed skating on Sunday, adding the title to the 3000m she collected in Torino.
Kristina Groves took silver for Canada with Martina Sablikova, the 3000m champion, of the Czech Republic claiming bronze.
But it was a disappointing day for home hope Christine Nesbitt who had started as favourite having set the season’s fastest time of 1min 52.77sec and was lying second in the World Cup standings.
But Nesbitt managed just 1:58.33 on Sunday, far behind Wust’s winning time of 1:56.89.
Wust’s stamina was matched by her father who leapt over the barriers at the Richmond Oval to congratulate his daughter.
“He has got a hernia and a bad hip but in a moment like this, you don’t feel it,” said the champion, who also collected a bronze in the 1500m in 2006.
“I felt really good in the race but it didn’t work in the 3000m and 1000m. This was my last chance. I thought I had to open well and skate relaxed. Everything went right.”
Wust, who had finished seventh in the 3000m and an eighth in the 1000m, also helped the Netherlands become the first nation in 46 years to win the men’s and women’s 1500m at the same Games. Mark Tuitert won the men’s version on Saturday.
Groves was not happy with the conditions.
“The ice was not giving at all. Endurance is the most important thing in this race. Ice like this makes it even harder,” said the Canadian.

source: www.vancouver2010.com