Patrick Roest has never skated a world record. The six-time world champion wants to change that in the 5 kilometers on Sunday in Salt Lake City. A magical barrier may also come into play.
He is not the man to announce in advance that he will set the fastest time ever in the 5,000 meters this World Cup weekend. “The Dutch record is still in the hands of Sven Kramer. I would love to attack that,” says Roest. “But with very good conditions, a world record might also be possible.”
Talking and thinking about top times has been a regular ritual at competitions in Salt Lake City for more than twenty years. The Utah Olympic Oval is located 1,425 meters above sea level and is the fastest skating rink in the world due to the lower air resistance. All world records for individual distances – except for the 10 kilometers for men – were set in the 2002 Olympic Hall (see boxes).
Since December 3, 2021, the global top time for the 5 kilometers has been held by the now retired Swede Nils van der Poel (6:01.56). The Dutch record, set at the end of 2007 on the highland track in Calgary, has been held by Kramer for more than sixteen years: 6.03.32.
Roest will have both times in mind on Sunday when he starts his 5,000 meters on the final day of the World Cup weekend in Salt Lake City. “I am certainly working on records,” says the leader of Team Reggeborgh. “We don’t get the chance to compete for top times in Salt Lake that often. So when I’m there, I want to give it my all. That’s why I tried to prepare perfectly for this competition.”
Men’s world records
- 500 meter: 33,61 – Pavel Kulizhnikov (9-3-2019, Salt Lake City)
- 1.000 meter: 1.05,69 – Pavel Kulizhnikov (15-2-2020, Salt Lake City)
- 1.500 meter: 1.40,17 – Kjeld Nuis (10-3-2019, Salt Lake City)
- 5.000 meter: 6.01.56 – Nils van der Poel (3-12-2021, Salt Lake City)
- Team pursuit: 3.34.22 – Norway (5-1-2024, Heerenveen)
The 10 kilometers will not be held in Salt Lake City this weekend
Roest traveled to Salt Lake City in plenty of time
Roest has a love-hate relationship with the record track in Utah. In 2019, he skated to a top time (6.03.70, still his personal record) and a World Cup victory in the 5,000 meters during his first appearance in Salt Lake City.
A year later, Roest experienced one of the biggest disappointments of his career in the American city. At the World Championship distances, he collapsed in the second part of his 5 kilometers, resulting in only the fourth fastest time. Afterwards, the Lekkerkerker was also disqualified because he had not put on his armband.
“There is less oxygen in the air at altitude, which puts more pressure on your legs,” Roest explains. “This increases the chance that you will blow yourself up during a race. Things can always go both ways in Salt Lake City. That is why it is important to arrive on time so that you can get used to the altitude and the higher speed on the ice .”
Two years ago, at the World Cup race where Van der Poel set his world record, Roest arrived in the United States just two days before his 5,000 meters. It resulted in a second time (6.04.41), almost three seconds behind the Swedish winner.
That had to be different this time, Roest thought. The reigning world champion in the 5 kilometers arrived in Salt Lake City at the end of last week, giving him plenty of time to acclimatize. “I had already agreed with my coach Robin Derks before the season,” says Roest. “I feel like this is a lot more pleasant. Hopefully it will help us to show something beautiful on Sunday.”
Dutch records men
- 500 meter: 34,08 – Ronald Mulder (26-2-2017, Calgary)
- 1.000 meter: 1.06,18 – Kjeld Nuis (9-3-2019, Salt Lake City)
- 1.500 meter: 1.40,17 – Kjeld Nuis (10-3-2019, Salt Lake City)
- 5.000 meter: 6.03,32 – Sven Kramer (17-11-2007, Calgary)
- Team pursuit: 3.34.68 – Sven Kramer, Douwe de Vries and Marcel Bosker (15-2-2020, Salt Lake City)
Can Roest skate under six minutes?
If everything checks out, Rust might even be able to break down a historical barrier. The first 5 kilometers under six minutes has been a great goal for stayers for years. Van der Poel would have liked to have had the scoop, he said in 2021 after he had skated the world record. “I think it’s the coolest boundary in skating.”
The two-time Beijing Olympic champion will retire in 2022, ruining his chances. It paves the way for Roest, who with a lightning fast time of 6:04.36 in Heerenveen is already the holder of the world record on a lowland track.
“It would be incredibly nice to go through a barrier,” says Roest. “But of course it’s not that easy. I know Thialf very well, I know exactly what I can and should do there. In Salt Lake City I have fewer automatic skills, because I have only ridden a 5 kilometer there three times. I will do it on Sunday anyway. should start with somewhat safe lap times. Because I know: if you explode in Salt Lake, you explode really well.”
Women’s world records
- 500 meter: 36,36 – Lee Sang-hwa (16-11-2013, Salt Lake City)
- 1.000 meter: 1.11,61 – Brittany Bowe (9-3-2019, Salt Lake City)
- 1.500 meter: 1.49,83 – Miho Takagi (10-3-2019, Salt Lake City)
- 3.000 meter: 3.52.02 – Martina Sáblíková (9-3-2019, Salt Lake City)
- Team pursuit: 2.50,76 – Japan (14-2-2020, Salt Lake City)
The 5 kilometers will not be held in Salt Lake City this weekend
Dutch records women
- 500 meter: 36,96 – Femke Kok (4-12-2021, Salt Lake City)
- 1.000 meter: 1.11.84 – Jutta Leerdam (15-2-2020, Salt Lake City)
- 1.500 meter: 1.50,70 – Ireen Wüst (10-3-2019, Salt Lake City)
- 3.000 meter: 3.52,89 – Irene Schouten (3-12-2021, Salt Lake City)
- Team pursuit: 2.52.65 – Melissa Wijfje, Ireen Wüst, Antoinette de Jong (14-2-2020, Salt Lake City)
