HEERENVEEN, Netherlands - Christine Nesbitt and Kristina Groves proved to be a powerhouse duo at Sunday's World Cup speedskating meet in the Netherlands.
Nesbitt followed up her dominance at last weekend's season-opening event in Berlin with a win in one minute 16.18 seconds. That was 0.58 seconds ahead of Ottawa's Groves, who also clinched the 1500 on Saturday. China's Wang Beixing was third in 1:17.01.
Nesbitt, a London, Ont., native who also collected a bronze in Saturday's 1500, says she came into this season with modest expectations after changes in her training program.
"I didn't know what to expect coming into this season because I had a different summer of training with a new coach," said Nesbitt, who now trains with Ingrid Paul after five years with Marcel Lacroix. "I know I'm strong right now and feel really healthy, so I'm not surprised but I really didn't know what to expect."
Winnipeg's Shannon Rempel faded to eighth in the 1,000 but remains fourth in the overall standings with 116 points after two of the 10 races. Nesbitt leads with 200. Groves and Laurine van Riessen are next with 130 each.
Groves is taking her early success in stride, taking into account the fact that injured skaters such as world champion Anni Friesinger and Canadian favourite Cindy Klassen will be returning to the circuit this season.
"Obviously it's great to have the results, but I have to remember the field isn't completely full yet," Groves said. "I'm pleased with the races so far but I know I need to continue improving through the year to stay up there (atop the standings)."
The Canadian women also collected silver in the team pursuit competition.
Also Sunday, Shani Davis of the United States picked up his second win of the weekend, pushing Finland's Pekka Koskela and Dutchman Simon Kuipers into second and third spots in the men's 1000. Davis, who won Friday's 1500, claimed the race in 1:08.99.
Denny Morrison of Fort St. John, B.C., was the top male Canadian finishing seventh in both the 1000 and the overall standings.
Davis leads the men's overall standings with 180 points, followed by Stefan Groothuis of the Netherlands on 145 and Kuipers has 140. Morrison is at 85.
