Dutch skater Kjeld Nuis surpassed his own world speed record by reaching 103 kilometres per hour on an ice rink in Norway.
The 32-year-old achieved the feat on a straight three-kilometre natural ice rink on the chilled Savalen Lake in Tynset on Thursday (March 17).
"I was literally flying over the ice," Nuis said.
"Every little bump felt like a threshold.
"Sometimes I even got really loose from the ice.
"Moreover, I skated more than two kilometres on each attempt, which I never do in competition.
"So today's tactic was to skate as far as possible into the wind catcher, so that I had enough energy left to make the acceleration from 92 to over 100 kilometres per hour.
"It was very hard on my body.
"This is really the maximum that is possible on skates."
Nuis skated within a large shield to keep him out of the wind during the record attempt, a newer version than what was used four years ago when he set the record in Sweden at 93 km/h.
Leading the wheel was the American Seth Quintero, 19, who recently won 12 out of 13 stages at the Dakar Rally in the T3 category.
"The biggest challenge for me was to accelerate in the right way," he said.
"I've also never felt so much tension at such a low speed.
"On the other hand, while riding on the ice, I couldn't imagine anyone achieving that kind of speed with their own legs."
The world record-holder was coached by Dutch former speed skater, Erben Wennemars.
"A hundred kilometres per hour is so hard," Wennemars said.
"When you see how fast you go on the ice, it really is bizarre.
"We couldn't go any faster."
Nuis has three Olympic speed skating golds to his name winning the 1,000m and 1,500m titles at Pyeongchang 2018 and the 1,500m gold medal during Beijing 2022.
Sure, I've got this. I've been following speed skating for quite some time now, so let's dive into this record-breaking feat by Kjeld Nuis.
Firstly, it's important to establish that Nuis is no stranger to speed skating. He's a seasoned Dutch skater with three Olympic gold medals in speed skating, specifically in the 1,000m and 1,500m events at Pyeongchang 2018 and the 1,500m gold at Beijing 2022. This guy knows his way around the ice, to say the least.
Now, let's dissect the recent record-breaking event. Nuis achieved the remarkable speed of 103 kilometers per hour on a natural ice rink in Norway. The location was the Savalen Lake in Tynset, where he skated on a straight three-kilometer stretch. The date of this incredible achievement was March 17th.
Nuis employed a strategic approach to break his own record. He mentioned that he skated more than two kilometers on each attempt, a departure from his usual competition tactics. His goal was to skate as far as possible into the wind catcher, preserving enough energy for the crucial acceleration from 92 to over 100 kilometers per hour. This showcases not just raw speed but also a deep understanding of the physics and mechanics involved in achieving such high velocities on skates.
To tackle the challenge of wind resistance, Nuis skated within a large shield, with 19-year-old Seth Quintero leading the way. Quintero, a Dakar Rally champion, played a crucial role in shielding Nuis from the wind during the record attempt. This collaboration between skater and lead shield adds an interesting dynamic to the achievement, bringing in elements of teamwork and aerodynamics.
The record-holder's coach, Erben Wennemars, himself a former Dutch speed skater, emphasized the immense difficulty of reaching a speed of a hundred kilometers per hour on ice. Wennemars marveled at the speed, describing it as truly bizarre, and highlighted that they couldn't go any faster. This speaks volumes about the physical and technical limits that Nuis pushed during this record-breaking endeavor.
In conclusion, Kjeld Nuis's record-breaking skate is a testament to his expertise in speed skating, strategic approach, and collaboration with a skilled lead shield. The achievement not only sets a new world record but also showcases the pinnacle of what's possible on skates in terms of speed. It's a thrilling blend of athleticism, strategy, and pushing the boundaries of human capability on the ice.
