Sandrine Tas narrowly missed out on a medal in the 5,000 meters competition, finishing just 0.13 seconds shy of bronze on February 12, 2026. Tas emerged as a strong contender, clocking a time of 6:46.47, significantly surpassing her own Belgian record by six seconds.
Close Race for Medals
The race was exceptionally competitive among the top four female skaters. Tas was 0.30 seconds behind gold medalist Francesca Lollobrigida and merely 0.03 seconds slower than bronze medalist Mathilde Wiklund from Norway.
- Gold Medal: Francesca Lollobrigida – 6:46.17
- Silver Medal: Merel Conijn – 6:46.27
- Bronze Medal: Mathilde Wiklund – 6:46.34
- 4th Place: Sandrine Tas – 6:46.47
- 5th Place: Isabelle Weidemann – 6:50.08
- 6th Place: Karolína Zueva – 6:57.70
- 7th Place: Sophie Groenewoud – 6:58.33
- 8th Place: Anna Jasch – 7:00.94
Excitement Builds in the Final Lap
Throughout the race, Tas maintained a strong pace, closely following her Dutch rival, Merel Conijn, until the decisive final lap. Although she achieved a remarkable pace, Tas’s effort was not enough to secure a podium finish.
The intensity of the competition was evident, with just milliseconds separating the racers. As the race progressed, Tas was virtually in contention for a medal, but an explosive final lap by Lollobrigida ultimately secured her gold.
Tas’s Performance Highlights
Despite the disappointment of finishing fourth, Tas’s performance was commendable. Her final time demonstrated significant improvement, emphasizing her potential for future competitions. The small margins in this race highlighted both the thrill and challenge of short-distance speed skating.
Sandrine Tas’s experience serves as a reminder of the fierce competition in the world of speed skating. Her determination and skill showcase her potential for upcoming events, as she continues to push the limits of her performance.
