Becoming the first British woman to ever clinch a World title, the 26-year-old had previously won eight other Championship medals throughout her career, but the gold was the one that had for so long evaded her grasp.

Speed Skating World champion speed skater Lara van Ruijven dies aged 27 10/07/2020 AT 20:35

However, she made amends for that in style in Rotterdam as she continues to go from strength-to-strength, having won multiple World Cup titles over 500m and 1000m and breaking the 500m world record already this season.

Watch a replay of Elise Christie's wonderful performance on Eurosport 2 at 10am on Monday

Christie crossed the line in a time of 2:54.369 minutes with Canada's Marianne St-Gelais just 0.12 seconds behind, having switched her approach to competition following a second-place finish in the semi-final.

There was little time to celebrate her achievement, however, with the 500m final requiring Christie to get straight back on the ice.

And despite finishing fourth over that distance, with Fan Kexin taking top honours, nothing could wipe the smile off Christie's face after seeing her lifetime ambition come to fruition.

"The semi-final didn't go the way I wanted it to, so I changed my tactic in the final and went out in front to give myself the best opportunity, and that worked out," she said

"It's pretty amazing, especially as I haven't raced that distance in a year."

Elise Christie of Britain Image credit: AFP

Writing on Instagram, she added: "Mixed day today. Messed up the 500m, the battle between winning medals and taking risks to win got the better of me.

"However my dream has come true and for the first time ever I'm a world champion, can't even describe how happy I am!

"Thank you everyone who has helped to get this moment in my career."

Elsewhere in Saturday's action, the Netherlands took home the ladies' 3000m relay title, with China winning the men's 5000m relay.

Sin da Woon was crowned World champion in the 1500m, beating Canada's Samuel Girard and Korean compatriot Seo Yi Ra to the gold medal.

And in the 500m, it was Dutchman Sjinkie Knegt who emerged victorious, crossing the line in 41.22 seconds, ahead of Wu Dajing and Seo.

Speed Skating World champion Lara van Ruijven in critical condition 01/07/2020 AT 11:08