Nov 3, 2023 at 11:36 PM Update: 3 hours ago
The skaters of Team Albert Heijn Zaanlander will not travel to Obihiro, Japan next week for the first World Cup of the season. According to coach Jillert Anema, there is little to gain for the team of leader Irene Schouten.
After the World Cup qualifying tournament last weekend, it became clear that Team Albert Heijn Zaanlander would skip one of the first two World Cups in Asia, because it did not fit into the team’s skaters’ program.
Schouten stated that she would rather go to Beijing (November 17-19) than to Obihiro, Japan, where the race will take place from November 10 to November 12. Coach Jillert Anema confirms to the on Friday NOS that Beijing was indeed chosen.
“With this trip to Japan you destroyed more than you could gain,” Anema explains. “It is a journey of more than 24 hours: by plane to Tokyo, by bus to another airport, by plane again and then by bus to the hotel. I want to make my athletes better and not worse.”
The Anema team qualified for the World Cup qualifying tournament last weekend with five skaters at different distances for the first World Cup competitions of the season. In addition to Schouten, Marijke Groenewoud, Elisa Dul, Melissa Wijfje and Gert Wierda also won starting tickets for the World Cup competitions.
The American Jordan Stolz, who has been riding with the Anema team since this season, will be in action in Obihiro. He is the reigning world champion in the 500, 1,000 and 1,500 meters.
Beeld: Getty Images
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SkatingIrene SchoutenJillert AnemaJordan Stolz
2023-11-03 22:36:56
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