In two weeks' time three British athletes are taking to be biggest icy stage on the Long Track season calendar – the World Championships – coming off of a raft of Top 10 finishes for some of the athletes' eyes will be gripped to the screen on the 2nd of March when the competition starts.
Cornelius Kersten, Ellia Smeding and Gemma Cooper are the three Long Trackers selected to represent Great Britian in Heerenveen in the ISU World Speed Skating Championships 2023. Cornelius Kersten, who lives and trains in the Netherlands will be skating in the Mens 1000m; Ellia Smeding will be skating in the Womens 500m, 1000, and 1500m; and Gemma Cooper will be skating in the Women’s Mass Start.
Both Ellia Smeding and Cornelius Kersten train together in the Netherlands commented “After a great end to the World Cup series with some of our best-ever rankings, we are really excited for the World Championships next weekend and are hoping to put down our best races yet and finish the season strong!”
Mass start skater, Gemma Cooper also commented “I’m looking forward to competing at my third World Championships, especially as it will take place in a sold-out Thialf stadium and it’s always great to race there.”
The competition runs from the 2nd – 5th of March and will be available to watch live on the ISU YouTube channel. Action-packed, the weekend will see elite skaters battle it out to be crowned the world's best.
Make note of the below times and events the British athletes will be competing in:
Friday 3rd of March:
Ellia Smeding Womens 500m (19:53GMT)
Saturday 4th March:
Gemma Cooper Mass Start Womens Semi-Finals (13:22GMT)
Cornelius Kersten Mens 500m (14:13GMT)
Ellia Smeding Womens 1000m (14:57GMT)
Gemma Cooper Mass Start Womens Final (16:19GMT)
Sunday 5th March:
Ellia Smeding Womens 1500m (12:45GMT)
