| 2002 World Speed Skating Championships Summary |
Jochem Uytdehaage (NED) and Anni Friesinger (GER) were crowned ISU World Speed Skating Champions for 2002 on Sunday in Heerenveen, the Netherlands. Close competition and huge crowds made it a spectacular end to the long-track season.
Ladies' Competition
Anni Friesinger defended her 2001 World title with only a second to spare in the final event, the 5000m, in which she finished third. First places in the 1500m and 3000m together with another third place in the 500m gave her an overall points score of 162.260.
Cindy Klassen (CAN) won the silver medal with a very consistent series of races and Claudia Pechstein (GER), double gold medallist at the Olympic Winter Games in Salt Lake City, took the bronze.
Men's Competition
Jochem Uytdehaage was second going into the final race but delighted thousands of Dutch fans with a commanding victory in the 10000m in a time of 13:27.25. His all-round performance gave him a points score of 152.483, a new World Record. Uytdehaage also won the 5000m and placed fifth and fourth in the 500m and 1500m respectively.
For silver medallist Dmitry Shepel (RUS) it was his best ever result at the all-round World Championships. Derek Parra (USA) won the bronze to go with his Olympic gold and silver medals.
Gianni Romme (NED) was in contention for a medal after the first two events but was disqualified for a crossing offence in the 1500m.
After the competition skaters paid tribute to the fans at Heerenveen. Anni Friesinger said the crowd had made it a perfect end to the season.
Results of Ladies' Competition Rank Name Nat 500m 1500m 3000m 5000m Points 1 Anni Friesinger GER 39.45 (3) 1:56.43 (1) 4:08.02 (1) 7:06.64 (3) 162.260 2 Cindy Klassen NED 39.16 (2) 1:56.88 (2) 4:11.20 (3) 7:04.86 (2) 162.472 3 Claudia Pechstein GER 39.92 (6) 1:58.43 (4) 4:09.32 (2) 7:01.31 (1) 163.114 Results of Men's Competition Rank Name Nat 500m 5000m 1500m 10000m Points 1 Jochem Uytdehaage NED 36.59 (5) 6:30.27 (1 ) 1:49.51 (4) 13:27.25 (1) 152.482 2 Dmitry Shepel RUS 36.39 (1) 6:34.23 (5) 1:48.44 (1) 13:43.14 (6) 153.116 3 Derek Parra USA 36.47 (3) 6:35.70 (7) 1:48.56 (2) 13:48.71 (7) 153.661 For further details please contact: Rowland Jack Communications Coordinator, Speed Skating Phone +41 21 612 66 66 Fax +41 21 612 66 77 Mobile +44 7939 203752 E-mail jack@isu.ch