No man has been as consistent on the World Cup Mass Start podium in the last five years than Bart Swings (BEL). Bart Hoolwerf (NED) won the last race of the World Cup season on Sunday, but it was the Olympic Champion who took home his fourth consecutive World Cup trophy and fifth in total. Hein Otterspeer (NED) secured the 1000m World Cup trophy, coming third in the final race behind Jordan Stolz (USA) and Wesly Dijs (NED), who surprised the field with a track record.
Bart Swings claimed his fourth consecutive Mass Start World Cup trophy in Poland © ISU
Dutch teamwork pays off
Hoolwerf won the Mass Start beating Chung Jae-Won (KOR) and Andrea Giovannini (ITA) in a bunch sprint after a relatively slow race. He explained how teammate Louis Hollaar (NED) set him up perfectly.
“Our plan came together. The race folded out similar to last week. Many guys wanted a bunch sprint, and that was sort of what we had expected.
Bart Hoolwerf celebrates gold in the final Men's Mass Start race of the World Cup season © ISU
“Whereas Louis had to skate for [intermediate sprint] points last week to secure the World Championships [starting slot], this week he did not have to waste too much energy in the beginning of the race. Therefore, he could get the bunch up to pace well in the final phase and choose the right moment to hand it over to me for the sprint.”
Hoolwerf ended up third in the World Cup rankings, having won two finals this season.
Swings did not position well in the final sprint, and had to settle for seventh place, but he cherished his fifth World Cup trophy.
Swings has dominated the Mass Start division over the last five years © ISU
“It’s great to have such a streak. The Mass Start is unpredictable. To win the ranking, and to win it more than once, that’s something I’m very proud of.”
“There’s always races, like today, when you make the wrong choice, but I know how to race it and therefore I often end up on top.”
Track record for Dijs
“Just a very good race,” said Wesly Dijs (NED). The Dutchman surprised the 1000m field, beating Hein Otterspeer’s 2021 track record (1:08.67) by 0.15.
The Dutchman went on from winning the B Division race last week, to gold in the A Division on Sunday.
Wesly Dijs claimed a stunning track record to win gold in the Men's 1000m © ISU
“Last week was good, and I’m happy to be able to show that I can also do it in the A Division.
“I always say that I’m more of a 1500m skater, so it sort of comes as a surprise. I think that when the conditions are tough and the ice is a bit slow, my 1000m is relatively better. When the ice is fast, I will do a better 1500m.”
Hein Otterspeer will be the Dutch favorite for the 1000m World title in Heerenveen. The 34-year-old brought home his career first World Cup trophy in the distance coming in third in 1:08.72.
Hein Otterspeer took bronze in Poland to secure the overall 1000m World Cup trophy © ISU
“I had some trouble with a couple of bumps in the ice, that got my timing off a little. But I managed to regroup. I’m just 0.20 behind gold and that’s where the difference was made.
“I’m very happy to bring home my first World Cup trophy. I had a few second and third finishes already, but this one [pointing at the Cup] is coming home with me now.”
Jordan Stolz took 1000m silver, after already having won 1500m gold and 500m silver. He felt the fatigue kicking in after a lot of racing at the Junior World Championships last week and the final World Cup this weekend.
“I think for sure after the 1500m took me out in [today’s] final lap, and then I'd say the 500m just wrecked [today’s] opener. It just wasn't there.”
Jordan Stolz has impressed in his debut senior World Cup season © ISU
The 18-year-old American looked back on an outstanding maiden World Cup season:
“I am really happy with it. Except for the fall in Heerenveen, it’s definitely been a great learning experience throughout the entire season.”
“Now I will just rest this week, bike, lift some weights and then I should be ready for the World Championships.”
Program
The second of two back-to-back Tomaszów Mazowiecki World Cups events starts with the 1500m and the Team Sprint for Men, and the 500m and 3000m for Women on Friday. On Saturday, the Women will skate the 1500m and the Team Sprint, while the Men take on the 500m and the 5000m, and the Sunday schedule features the 1000m and Mass Start for both genders.
For all information about the ISU World Cup Speed Skating Series, please visit the webpage here.
World Cup Standings - Men
World Cup Standings - Women
Where to watch
Viewers will be able to watch the World Cup sessions (local time) via their national broadcaster/channel.
For countries where there are no broadcasters, the ISU will offer a live stream on the Skating ISU YouTube Channel. You will find the full list on the Where to watch webpage here.
ISU World Cup Short Track Speed Skating Series events 2022/23:
Nov 11 - 13, 2022 Stavanger /NOR
Nov 18 - 20, 2022 Heerenveen/ NED
Dec 09 - 11, 2022 Calgary /CAN
Dec 16 - 18, 2022 Calgary /CAN
Feb 10 - 12, 2023 Tomaszów Mazowiecki /POL
Feb 17 - 19, 2023 World Cup Final - Tomaszów Mazowiecki /POL
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