Not everything Irene Schouten touches turns into gold. The skater from Hoogkarspel took silver in the final 5000 meters behind Joy Beune. She had previously won gold in the 3000 meters, team pursuit and mass start. The bronze went to Martina Sablikova.
Schouten came into action as the fourth duo with Martina Sablikova. She skated to 6:48.98 and took more than six seconds off the best time up to that point, set by Canadian Isabelle Weidemann.
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She seemed to be on her way to a unique four in a row; no Dutch person had achieved this before. The smile disappeared from Schouten’s face when she saw Joy Beune’s ride. The phenomenal Beune (6.47.72) rode just under Schouten’s time and took the gold.