OSLO, Nov. 18 (Xinhua) -- Havard Holmefjord Lorentzen won both the 500m and the 1000m at home on Day 1 of the ISU World Cup Speed Skating in Stavanger on Friday.
"It certainly feels better than last year. I hope I can be up there for the rest of the season," he said.
Hein Otterspeer of the Netherlands looked to run away with his first career 500m gold but Havard Holmefjord Lorentzen edged him out by 0.02 seconds in the final pairing, finishing in 34.64 seconds.
Lorentzen did not feel any extra pressure skating in the final pairing on home ice.
"I don't really have a lot of stress before races," he said. "I did not feel any extra pressure either. I was in the final pairing last week too, and I'll be in the final pairing again in today's 1000m."
Otterspeer had finished in 34.66s in the seventh of ten pairings. He ended up in second place, ahead of Artur Was (POL), who finished in 34.74s.
Despite missing the gold medal by just 0.02 seconds, the 29-year-old Dutchman was satisfied with his performance, having been hampered by injuries for years.
"It's been a long time ago that I was able to skate a 24-second lap and it feels very good to be back this season," he said.
"I'm not the youngest anymore and I'm glad that I'm able to show this level of speed skating again."
