Carl VERHEIJEN

Carl Verheijen was born in a speed skating family. His father, Eddy raced in the 1972 Olympics, while his mother Rieneke Demming competed in two World Championships in the early 1970s. His brother, Frank, is active as a marathon skater. Carl's breakthrough season came in 2001, when he won the Dutch 10000 m title and became World Champion at that same distance at the end of the season. But Verheijen failed to make the Dutch Olympic team for this event in 2002, instead competing in the 5000 m only. Verheijen also started competing in allround tournaments, achieving podium placements in both the European Championships (2x silver, 2x bronze) and the World Championships (bronze in 2004 and 2007). At the World Single Distance Championships, he has won twelve medals, including four more titles: one in the 10000 m (2004) and three in the team pursuit (2005, 2007, 2009). Other awards won by Carl Verheijen include the 5/10 km World Cup in 2003 and four Dutch titles (2x 5000 m, 2x 10000 m). he briefly held the world record in the 10,000 m in December 2005. In parallel with his skating career, Verheijen also completed his medical studies. He is married to fellow speed skater Andrea Nuyt, who placed 4th in the 2002 Olympic 500 m.

Personal Bests: 500 – 36.99 (2007); 1000 – 1:11.92 (2006); 1500 – 1:45.78 (2007); 5000 – 6:08.98 (2005); 10000 – 12:55.30 (2007).