Skating star Ragne Wiklund was 58 hundredths behind his Norwegian record and came fifth in the 1500 meters in Calgary, Canada. None of the Norwegians had any Pangdag.
Wiklund was paired with another big star, Dutch Antoinette Rijpma-de Jong. Both showed good speed from the start, but at the end something stopped for Wiklund, who crossed the finish line in a time of 1.52.54. On the tamp, she also slipped a bit on an ice-skating roof.
Dutch Joy Beune won with 1.51.17.
Wiklund did a great race in Salt Lake City last weekend and improved his Norwegian record to 1.51.96 over the distance. Then she was also number three. Wiklund was second in the 3000 meters in Calgary on Friday.
In the men’s 1500 metres, Peder Kongshaug was in the last pair, but it was only 15th place for the 24-year-old who last weekend lowered the Norwegian record to 1.41.34. He clocked 1:43.96 in Calgary.
Earlier this year, Kongshaug became world champion over the distance in Hamar.
Sander Eitrem finished in 1.43.80. That gave 13th place. Eitrem has 1.43.23 as a personal record for the distance and is strongest in the longer races. Didrik Eng Strand finished in 17th place with a time of 1:44.10.
Jordan Stolz won Saturday’s race with 1.42.10.
Bjørn Magnussen had hopes in the 500 meters after breaking the Norwegian record in Salt Lake City, but on Saturday he missed a skate roof and fell. Magnussen gets another chance on Sunday.
(NTB)