In March of this year, Van Elst was selected by the Dutch national team coach Coopman in the selection of the team sprint for the World Cup in Hamar, in Norway. That would have been her international debut.
But just before the World Cup started, she was kicked out of the team and replaced by Femke Kok. The Dutch team may have sprinted to the gold medal, but Van Elst was very disappointed with the way the Dutch national coach worked.
A few months later, Van Elst chooses Belgium. She promises to be a great asset to our country: her best times in the 500 meters (38″03) and the 1,000 meters (1’15″58) are well below the current Belgian records (500 meters is 38″66 and 1,000 meters is 1’16″46).
Last season, Van Elst skated for the Worldstream team, but because Jutta Leerdam, the team’s leader, is moving to Jumbo-Visma, the team will cease to exist. As a result, Van Elst will train with the Norwegian long track team Skøytelandslaget with a view to the 2026 Winter Olympics.
