Dutch Schouten takes gold in mass start at ISU Speed Skating World Cup

TOMASZOW MAZOWIECKI, Poland - Dutch Irene Schouten beat her friend Ivanie Blondin to win women's mass start at the ISU Speed Skating World Cup here on Sunday.

Blodnin beat Schouten a week ago in Minsk but this time the Olympic bronze medalist from 2018 took revenge. The Canadian was close to take the highest place on the podium again as she was leading, but Schouten had the last word to say. She finished in nine minutes and 3.260 seconds to win the event followed by Blondin and Japanese Nana Takagi.

China's Zhou Yang was fourth, while her compatriot Yin Qi was classified in the 7th position.

"I'm not disappointed with second. I like Schouten, we're so competitive. In the past it was a negative competition, but now it's positive. We both accepted that we are rivals," claimed Blondin.

Schouten's victory wasn't the only success for the Netherlands on Sunday, as the Dutch skaters won the men's Team Pursuit ahead of Japan and Russia. The victorious team crossed the line in three minutes and 45.689 seconds.

Sunday was the last day of the event in Tomaszow Mazowiecki, the second leg of the ISU Speed Skating World Cup. The next round will be played in Kazakhstan from 6th to 8th December.