Wanganui teenager Jessica van Bentum (centre) has skated her way into the record books at the world championships in Belgium. PHOTO/SUPPLIED
Wanganui teenager Jessica van Bentum turned in a stunning performance at the In Line Speed Skating World Championships in Oostende Belgium on Sunday night.
The 17-year-old, skating in the Junior Women's class, finished an outstanding sixth place in the finals of the 1000m Track event. She qualified for the eight-person
final by skating a time of 1m 30.952 seconds in her semifinal. Her semifinal time was so fast that although she was seventh in the eight person field her time was two seconds faster than the winner of the other semifinal. Although it is yet to be officially ratified her semifinal time also broke the New Zealand open women's 1000m record of 1min 32.695 set by former World Senior Champion Nicole Begg.
"Jessica's very proud," Wanganui coach Gary Clark said.
She had prepared well for the event in Belgium, but the standard of competition was extremely strong this year and he had had expectations of a finish in the top half of the field.
"Making it to the semifinals was a great effort and making the final was well above expectations. Her sixth place finish was the best result for a NZ Junior Women since multiple World Champion Nicole Begg was a junior."
