3,000 metres, Women

One of the top contenders for the 3000 m title seemed to be the 1992 and 1998 champion, Gunda Niemann-Stirnemann. In 2001, she had improved the world record on a lowland rink, and taken the world title in Salt Lake City. However, she had decided to become a mother, and her only appearance in the skating world in 2002 was to open a new indoor rink in Erfurt that was named for her. This left the burden of being the favorite to her compatriots, Claudia Pechstein and Anni Friesinger. Pechstein was the world record holder since March 2001, having been the first woman to beat 4 minutes in the event. She had also been the World Champion back in 2000. But in the Olympic season, she had yet to win, having been beaten by Friesinger in all the World Cup races and at the European Championships.

Friesinger, who had hoped to compete for three golds in Salt Lake, was the first competitor to beat 4 minutes, but only narrowly, and with slow laps towards the end. This gave room for Pechstein, generally able to keep her lap times stable. She did just that in her race, trailing Friesinger until 2,200 m, then winning seconds in the final two laps. Finishing in a new world record time of 3:57.70, she dragged along pair mate Cindy Klassen, who had just missed the 1998 Olympics as a member of the Canadian ice hockey squad. But Pechstein’s title was not yet secured. In the last pair, her splits were copied by Renate Groenewold. She kept up the pace until 2,200 m, then had to let go, finishing just ahead of Klassen for an unexpected silver medal. Even less expected was that she pushed Friesinger off the podium, leaving fourth place for the favorite.