Ard Schenk

Adrianus "Ard" Schenk (born 16 September 1944) is a former speed skater from the Netherlands, who is considered to be one of the best in history. His first Olympic success came in 1968, when he won a silver medal at the 1968 Winter Olympics. Between 1970 and 1972 Winter Olympics, Schenk won three consecutive World Allround Speed Skating Championships. He won three gold medals at the 1972 Winter Olympics, becoming, along with Galina Kulakova of Soviet Union, the most successful athlete there.

Biography

File:Schenk1965NKDeventer.jpg

Schenk (1965)

Schenk competed in international meets from 1964 on, winning his first medal at the 1965 world championships and his first gold medal at the 1966 European championships. In the late 60s, Schenk was usually bested by his compatriot Kees Verkerk, but in the early 1970s he dominated international speed skating. The winning duo of Ard & Keesie were responsible for a lasting popularity of speed skating in the Netherlands.

Schenk's career peaked in 1972. He won three gold medals at the Olympic Games in Sapporo (a fall in the 500 m precluded gold in all 4 distances). Had the 1000 meters already been an Olympic distance, Schenk would have been the favorite for gold, as he had won five of the six 1000 meter races at World Sprint Championship he participated in. The same year, he also won the European Allround and the World Allround Championships. He became World Allround Champion by winning all 4 distances, a feat that nobody had achieved since Ivar Ballangrud 40 years earlier, and which only Eric Heiden has repeated since (in 1979). Finally, he won bronze that year at the World Sprint Championships.

The next season (1973), he turned professional with a number of other prominent speed skaters,<ref>Koomen 1973</ref> thereby forgoing the opportunity of winning more championships. The professional circuit lasted two seasons and Schenk retired from speed skating at the relatively young age of 30.

Records

World records

Schenk was the first to skate the 10,000 meters within 15 minutes, and the first skater to finish the 1500 meters in less than 2 minutes. Over the course of his career he broke a total of 18 (senior) world records, a feat no skater before or after him has bettered. Among men, the sprint specialist Jeremy Wotherspoon came closest with his 16th world record in 2007,<ref>Most world records set by men at SpeedSkatingStats.com</ref> while among women long-distance specialist Gunda Niemann equalled Schenk's mark in 2001.<ref>Most world records set by women at SpeedSkatingStats.com</ref> By March 1971, Schenk held 6 of the 7 official world records at the same time, missing only the 500 m.<ref>A sprint combination world record was only introduced in the next season.</ref> His 1000 m record was broken in March 1972 by Erhard Keller, but the other five stood until 1975 to 1978, when world records started to be skated at the high-altitude rink of Medeo.

Discipline	Time	Date	Location
1500 m	2:06.2	26 January 1966	Davos
3000 m	4:26.2	29 January 1966	Inzell
1500 m	2:05.3	30 January 1966	Inzell
3000 m	4:18.4	25 February 1967	Inzell
1000 m	1:20.6	28 February 1967	Inzell
1000 m	1:20.6	5 February 1968	Davos
3000 m	4:12.6	15 January 1971	Davos
1500 m	1:58.7	16 January 1971	Davos
Big combination	171.317	31 January 1971	Oslo
10000 m	15:01.6	14 February 1971	Gothenburg
Big combination	171.130	14 February 1971	Gothenburg
1000 m	1:18.8	20 February 1971	Inzell
5000 m	7:12.0	13 March 1971	Inzell
10000 m	14:55.9	14 March 1971	Inzell
Big combination	168.248	14 March 1971	Inzell
3000 m	4:08.3	2 March 1972	Inzell
5000 m	7:09.8	4 March 1972	Inzell
Big combination	167.420	5 March 1972	Inzell

Source: SpeedSkatingStats.com<ref name=stats> {{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Personal records

Schenk has an Adelskalender score of 166.241 points. He was number one on the Adelskalender from 13 January 1966 until 27 February 1967 and again from 13 February 1971 until 19 March 1976 for a total of 6 years and 58 days. The Adelskalender is an all-time allround speed skating ranking.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }} Adelskalender pages of Evert Stenlund</ref>

Tournament overview

Season	Dutch Championships Allround	ISU European Championships Allround	Olympic Games	ISU* World Championships Allround	ISU World Championships Sprint	ISSL* European Championships Allround	ISSL World Championships Allround
1963–1964	check|unknown=|preview=Page using Template:Center with unknown parameter "_VALUE_"|ignoreblank=y| 1 | style }} Template:Silver2 500m 5th 5000m Template:Silver2 1500m 9th 10000m Template:Silver2 overall		INNSBRUCK 13th 1500m	check|unknown=|preview=Page using Template:Center with unknown parameter "_VALUE_"|ignoreblank=y| 1 | style }} 9th 500m 15th 5000m 11th 1500m 13th 10000m 7th overall
1964–1965	check|unknown=|preview=Page using Template:Center with unknown parameter "_VALUE_"|ignoreblank=y| 1 | style }} Template:Gold1 500m Template:Silver2 5000m Template:Silver2 1500m Template:Gold1 10000m Template:Gold1 overall	check|unknown=|preview=Page using Template:Center with unknown parameter "_VALUE_"|ignoreblank=y| 1 | style }} Template:Gold1 500m 12th 5000m 10th 1500m 6th 10000m 5th overall		check|unknown=|preview=Page using Template:Center with unknown parameter "_VALUE_"|ignoreblank=y| 1 | style }} 6th 500m 10th 5000m Template:Silver2 1500m 6th 10000m Template:Bronze3 overall
1965–1966	check|unknown=|preview=Page using Template:Center with unknown parameter "_VALUE_"|ignoreblank=y| 1 | style }} Template:Gold1 500m Template:Silver2 5000m Template:Gold1 1500m Template:Silver2 10000m Template:Silver2 overall	check|unknown=|preview=Page using Template:Center with unknown parameter "_VALUE_"|ignoreblank=y| 1 | style }} 4th 500m Template:Gold1 5000m Template:Gold1 1500m 4th 10000m Template:Gold1 overall		check|unknown=|preview=Page using Template:Center with unknown parameter "_VALUE_"|ignoreblank=y| 1 | style }} Template:Bronze3 500m Template:Bronze3 5000m 5th 1500m 4th 10000m Template:Silver2 overall
1966–1967	check|unknown=|preview=Page using Template:Center with unknown parameter "_VALUE_"|ignoreblank=y| 1 | style }} Template:Gold1 500m Template:Bronze3 5000m 4th 1500m Template:Silver2 10000m Template:Silver2 overall	check|unknown=|preview=Page using Template:Center with unknown parameter "_VALUE_"|ignoreblank=y| 1 | style }} 32nd 500m Template:Silver2 5000m 10th 1500m 4th 10000m 15th overall		check|unknown=|preview=Page using Template:Center with unknown parameter "_VALUE_"|ignoreblank=y| 1 | style }} Template:Bronze3 500m Template:Bronze3 5000m Template:Gold1 1500m 4th 10000m Template:Silver2 overall
1967–1968	check|unknown=|preview=Page using Template:Center with unknown parameter "_VALUE_"|ignoreblank=y| 1 | style }} Template:Gold1 500m Template:Gold1 5000m Template:Gold1 1500m 5th 10000m Template:Gold1 overall	check|unknown=|preview=Page using Template:Center with unknown parameter "_VALUE_"|ignoreblank=y| 1 | style }} 4th 500m 7th 5000m 10th 1500m 8th 10000m 6th overall	check|unknown=|preview=Page using Template:Center with unknown parameter "_VALUE_"|ignoreblank=y| 1 | style }} 13th 500m Template:Silver2 1500m	check|unknown=|preview=Page using Template:Center with unknown parameter "_VALUE_"|ignoreblank=y| 1 | style }} Template:Bronze3 500m 8th 5000m Template:Silver2 1500m 8th 10000m Template:Bronze3 overall
1968–1969	check|unknown=|preview=Page using Template:Center with unknown parameter "_VALUE_"|ignoreblank=y| 1 | style }} Template:Gold1 500m Template:Bronze3 5000m 5th 1500m 5th 10000m Template:Bronze3 overall	check|unknown=|preview=Page using Template:Center with unknown parameter "_VALUE_"|ignoreblank=y| 1 | style }} 6th 500m 4th 5000m 5th 1500m 13th 10000m 4th overall		check|unknown=|preview=Page using Template:Center with unknown parameter "_VALUE_"|ignoreblank=y| 1 | style }} 9th 500m Template:Bronze3 5000m 28th 1500m 8th 10000m 13th overall
1969–1970	check|unknown=|preview=Page using Template:Center with unknown parameter "_VALUE_"|ignoreblank=y| 1 | style }} Template:Gold1 500m Template:Bronze3 5000m Template:Gold1 1500m Template:Silver2 10000m Template:Gold1 overall	check|unknown=|preview=Page using Template:Center with unknown parameter "_VALUE_"|ignoreblank=y| 1 | style }} 4th 500m Template:Bronze3 5000m Template:Gold1 1500m 5th 10000m Template:Gold1 overall		check|unknown=|preview=Page using Template:Center with unknown parameter "_VALUE_"|ignoreblank=y| 1 | style }} Template:Bronze3 500m Template:Bronze3 5000m Template:Gold1 1500m 4th 10000m Template:Gold1 overall	check|unknown=|preview=Page using Template:Center with unknown parameter "_VALUE_"|ignoreblank=y| 1 | style }} 16th 500m Template:Silver2 1000m 19th 500m Template:Gold1 1000m 6th overall
1970–1971	check|unknown=|preview=Page using Template:Center with unknown parameter "_VALUE_"|ignoreblank=y| 1 | style }} Template:Gold1 500m Template:Gold1 5000m Template:Gold1 1500m 5th 10000m Template:Silver2 overall	check|unknown=|preview=Page using Template:Center with unknown parameter "_VALUE_"|ignoreblank=y| 1 | style }} Template:Gold1 500m 11th 5000m Template:Silver2 1500m 3rd 10000m Template:Silver2 overall		check|unknown=|preview=Page using Template:Center with unknown parameter "_VALUE_"|ignoreblank=y| 1 | style }} Template:Bronze3 500m Template:Gold1 5000m Template:Gold1 1500m Template:Gold1 10000m Template:Gold1 overall	check|unknown=|preview=Page using Template:Center with unknown parameter "_VALUE_"|ignoreblank=y| 1 | style }} 10th 500m Template:Gold1 1000m 11th 500m Template:Gold1 1000m Template:Bronze3 overall
1971–1972		check|unknown=|preview=Page using Template:Center with unknown parameter "_VALUE_"|ignoreblank=y| 1 | style }} Template:Gold1 500m Template:Gold1 5000m Template:Gold1 1500m 5th 10000m Template:Gold1 overall	check|unknown=|preview=Page using Template:Center with unknown parameter "_VALUE_"|ignoreblank=y| 1 | style }} 34th 500m Template:Gold1 1500m Template:Gold1 5000m Template:Gold1 10000m	check|unknown=|preview=Page using Template:Center with unknown parameter "_VALUE_"|ignoreblank=y| 1 | style }} Template:Gold1 500m Template:Gold1 5000m Template:Gold1 1500m Template:Gold1 10000m Template:Gold1 overall	check|unknown=|preview=Page using Template:Center with unknown parameter "_VALUE_"|ignoreblank=y| 1 | style }} 16th 500m Template:Gold1 1000m 16th 500m Template:Gold1 1000m Template:Bronze3 overall
1972–1973						check|unknown=|preview=Page using Template:Center with unknown parameter "_VALUE_"|ignoreblank=y| 1 | style }} Template:Bronze3 500m Template:Gold1 5000m Template:Gold1 1500m Template:Silver2 10000m Template:Gold1 overall	check|unknown=|preview=Page using Template:Center with unknown parameter "_VALUE_"|ignoreblank=y| 1 | style }} Template:Silver2 500m Template:Gold1 5000m Template:Gold1 1500m Template:Gold1 10000m Template:Gold1 overall
1973–1974						check|unknown=|preview=Page using Template:Center with unknown parameter "_VALUE_"|ignoreblank=y| 1 | style }} 4th 500m 8th 5000m 7th 1500m 6th 10000m 6th overall

Source:<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

• ISSL = International Speed Skating League
• ISU = International Skating Union

Medals won

Championship	Gold Template:Gold1	Silver Template:Silver2	Bronze Template:Bronze3
Dutch Allround	check|unknown=|preview=Page using Template:Center with unknown parameter "_VALUE_"|ignoreblank=y| 1 | style }}	check|unknown=|preview=Page using Template:Center with unknown parameter "_VALUE_"|ignoreblank=y| 1 | style }}	check|unknown=|preview=Page using Template:Center with unknown parameter "_VALUE_"|ignoreblank=y| 1 | style }}
European Allround	check|unknown=|preview=Page using Template:Center with unknown parameter "_VALUE_"|ignoreblank=y| 1 | style }}	check|unknown=|preview=Page using Template:Center with unknown parameter "_VALUE_"|ignoreblank=y| 1 | style }}	check|unknown=|preview=Page using Template:Center with unknown parameter "_VALUE_"|ignoreblank=y| 1 | style }}
Olympic Games	check|unknown=|preview=Page using Template:Center with unknown parameter "_VALUE_"|ignoreblank=y| 1 | style }}	check|unknown=|preview=Page using Template:Center with unknown parameter "_VALUE_"|ignoreblank=y| 1 | style }}	check|unknown=|preview=Page using Template:Center with unknown parameter "_VALUE_"|ignoreblank=y| 1 | style }}
World Allround	check|unknown=|preview=Page using Template:Center with unknown parameter "_VALUE_"|ignoreblank=y| 1 | style }}	check|unknown=|preview=Page using Template:Center with unknown parameter "_VALUE_"|ignoreblank=y| 1 | style }}	check|unknown=|preview=Page using Template:Center with unknown parameter "_VALUE_"|ignoreblank=y| 1 | style }}
World Sprint	check|unknown=|preview=Page using Template:Center with unknown parameter "_VALUE_"|ignoreblank=y| 1 | style }}	check|unknown=|preview=Page using Template:Center with unknown parameter "_VALUE_"|ignoreblank=y| 1 | style }}	check|unknown=|preview=Page using Template:Center with unknown parameter "_VALUE_"|ignoreblank=y| 1 | style }}
ISSL European Allround	check|unknown=|preview=Page using Template:Center with unknown parameter "_VALUE_"|ignoreblank=y| 1 | style }}	check|unknown=|preview=Page using Template:Center with unknown parameter "_VALUE_"|ignoreblank=y| 1 | style }}	check|unknown=|preview=Page using Template:Center with unknown parameter "_VALUE_"|ignoreblank=y| 1 | style }}
ISSL World Allround	check|unknown=|preview=Page using Template:Center with unknown parameter "_VALUE_"|ignoreblank=y| 1 | style }}	check|unknown=|preview=Page using Template:Center with unknown parameter "_VALUE_"|ignoreblank=y| 1 | style }}	check|unknown=|preview=Page using Template:Center with unknown parameter "_VALUE_"|ignoreblank=y| 1 | style }}

• SchenkVerkerk1967WK.jpg

  Schenk (Oslo, 1967)

• Schenk1968OlympicGrenoble.jpg

  Schenk (Grenoble, 1968)

• Wereldkampioenschappen schaatsen mannen allround in Oslo. Ard Schenk in actie, Bestanddeelnr 254-9161.jpg

  Schenk (Oslo, 1972)

See also

• List of multiple Olympic gold medalists at a single Games

References

Bibliography

• Bal, Rien and Van Dijk, Rob. Schaatskampioenen, alles over het seizoen 68-69 (Speedskating Champions, all about the season 68-69) . Amsterdam, the Netherlands: N.V. Het Parool, 1969. (Dutch)
• Eng, Trond. All Time International Championships, Complete Results: 1889 - 2002. Askim, Norway: WSSSA-Skøytenytt, 2002.
• Froger, Fred R. Topsporters: Ard Schenk * Kees Verkerk (Elite Athletes: Ard Schenk * Kees Verkerk). Bussum, the Netherlands: Van Holkema & Warendorf, 1967. (Dutch)
• ___________ Winnaars op de schaats (Victors on Skates), Een Parool Sportpocket. Amsterdam, the Netherlands: N.V. Het Parool, 1968. (Dutch)
• Koomen, Theo. 10 Jaar Topschaatsen (10 Years Elite Speedskating). Laren (NH), the Netherlands: Uitgeverij Luitingh, 1971. Template:ISBN. (Dutch)
• _________ Topschaatsen 1972 (Elite Speedskating 1972). Laren (NH), the Netherlands: Uitgeverij Luitingh, 1972. Template:ISBN. (Dutch)
• _________ Topschaatsen 3 (Elite Speedskating 3). Laren (NH), the Netherlands: Uitgeverij Luitingh, 1973. Template:ISBN. (Dutch)
• Maaskant, Piet. Flitsende Ijzers, De geschiedenis van de schaatssport (Flashing Blades, the History of Dutch Speedskating). Zwolle, the Netherlands: La Rivière & Voorhoeve, 1967 (Second revised and expanded edition). (Dutch)
• _________ Heya, Heya! Het nieuwe boek van de Schaatssport (Heya, Heya! The New book of Dutch Speedskating). Zwolle, the Netherlands: La Rivière & Voorhoeve, 1970. (Dutch)
• Peereboom, Klaas. Van Jaap Eden tot Ard Schenk (From Jaap Eden till Ard Schenk). Baarn, the Netherlands: De Boekerij, 1972. Template:ISBN. (Dutch)
• Schenk, Ard and Racké, Fred. Ard Apart, mijn groei naar de top (Ard on his own, his growth to the Top). Alkmaar, the Netherlands: Verenigde Noordhollandse Dagbladen, 1971. (Dutch)
• Teigen, Magne. Komplette Resultater Internasjonale Mesterskap 1889 - 1989: Menn/Kvinner, Senior/Junior, allround/sprint. Veggli, Norway: WSSSA-Skøytenytt, 1989. (Norwegian)
• Van Eyle, Wim. Een Eeuw Nederlandse Schaatssport (A Century of Dutch Speedskating). Utrecht, the Netherlands: Uitgeverij Het Spectrum, 1982. Template:ISBN. (Dutch)
• Witkamp, Anton and Koning, Dolf (eds.). Schaatsgoud '72 (Speedskating Gold '72). Bussum, the Netherlands: Teleboek NV, 1972. Template:ISBN. (Dutch)

External links

• Template:Sports links
• Template:ISU speed skater
• Ard Schenk at Speed Skating Hall of Fame
• Template:Webarchive
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