Ted-Jan Bloemen sets world long-track speed skating record in 10,000m

Calgary's Ted-Jan Bloemen broke the world record long track speed skating record in the 10,000 metres in 12 minutes 36.30 seconds on Saturday at an ISU World Cup event, almost five seconds faster than the previous mark.

Bloemen beat the previous record of 12:41.69 that Sven Kramer from the Netherlands set on March 10, 2007, a performance which also took place in Salt Lake City, Utah. Bloemen's previous personal best was 12:52.68.

"I've dreamt of this record for a long time," Bloemen said in a statement from Speed Skating Canada. "It was a perfect race. All through the race, I heard the P.A. announcer and the crowd go wild when they saw my times and realized I was close to a world record. But I was quick to ignore it all and I was able to refocus on my technique, which was key to having a good race – as well as being consistent, physically and mentally.

"I would say that my success so far this season comes from being consistent all the way through my training program, dating back to this summer. This sort of preparation gives me a lot of confidence."

Kramer, who was skating in the last pair with his teammate Jorrit Bergsma, immediately following the one including Bloemen, wasn't able to defend his record and finished second with a time of 12:44.26. Bergsma won the bronze medal (12:53.99).

Dutch-born with his father from New Brunswick, Ted-Jan Bloemen has dual citizenship and moved to Canada during the summer of 2014 to train with the national team at Calgary's Olympic Oval.