The Dutch trio Beune, Schouten and Groenewoud skated the fastest time in the women’s pursuit, but the golden party was cancelled.
Reason: a piece of Joy Beune’s ankle was not completely covered with cut-resistant fabric, as required by the regulations.
Before the start of the race, the clothing was inspected and approved. Clothing must have shifted during the race, Beune supposed.
After hearing the bad news, she burst into tears, because it lost her first world title. Also teammates Irene Schouten and Marijke Groenewoud could only mourn.
Referee Berrie de Jonge, a Dutchman, did not budge. The regulations oblige skaters to wear fully cut-resistant suits and helmets in team competitions for safety reasons.
The world title thus went to Canada.
