NOS Skating••Amended
Flawless Dutch skaters win team pursuit in Calgary
The Dutch skaters won the team pursuit in Calgary. During the second World Cup weekend of the season, Joy Beune, Antoinette Rijpma-De Jong and Marijke Groenewoud clocked 2.52.47. This made them only 0.16 seconds faster than Canada and just over half a second faster than the Japanese women.
Soon after the women, Marcel Bosker, Chris Huizinga and Beau Snellink took to the ice and rode to bronze in the men’s race in 3.38.66, more than half a second behind number two France. The unapproachable Americans won by a large margin in 2.35.34, more than three seconds faster than the Netherlands.
Dutch skaters ride to bronze in team pursuit in Calgary
The Dutch chase trains had to make up for the women and men after last week, when both trios disappointed. Things went better in Calgary and important points were gained in the battle for Olympic tickets.
The Olympic starting tickets are earned in the first four World Cups. After four races, the Netherlands must be in the top six of the rankings or among the two fastest countries.
‘Stable, well on its way’
Beune, Rijpma-De Jong and Groenewoud started under the Dutch record schedule, but were unable to maintain that pace until the end. In the final stage it seemed as if the Canadians rode faster in the final phase, but at the finish the difference turned out to be less than two tenths in the Dutch favor.
“We wanted to win. The Canadians continued to skate well, so it was still exciting,” Beune said afterwards. Rijpma-De Jong had a good feeling after the victory: “We are stable, which we also show in training. We are on great track.”
Beune, Rijpma-De Jong and Groenewoud happy with ‘rehabilitation’ in team pursuit in Calgary
Groenewoud, who dropped out last week to concentrate on other distances, was also delighted: “I’m happy to be back, happy that it went well.” And about her absence in Salt Lake City: “I always want to race, but the coaches protected me a bit.”
Also rehabilitation men
The men were also satisfied with their third place. “Important points taken,” Bosker said immediately afterwards about the battle for the Olympic tickets. After a disappointing performance in Salt Lake City, the men also wanted ‘reparation’.
And that worked, Huizinga said. “I’m happy that we finished third. But the opening and first round could be harder.”
Bosker, Huizinga and Snellink happy with bronze in team pursuit: ‘Important points taken’
Snellink, who spoke with national coach Rintje Ritsma and his teammates about the action plan last week, saw progress: “We were not happy with it last week. But it is a step in the right direction.”
World record Dijs and Hoogendoorn in relief
In the very last race of the weekend, Wesly Dijs and Chloé Hoogendoorn won the mixed relay in a world record for Germany and Hungary. With this they not only took the victory, but also five thousand dollars in prize money per person tied to driving a world record.
“It is always a spectacle and it is the newest part, so the world record is the least sharp,” said Dijs. “So you better take advantage of it.”
Dijs and Hoogendoorn after their world record on mixed relay: ‘Nice incidental’
“I am very happy with this,” said Hoogendoorn. “A nice extra. Angel (Daleman, ed.) always drives it, but in consultation with Jac (Orie, ed.) we agreed that I could drive it.”
Groenewoud defeated on mass start
After the team pursuit, Groenewoud came back onto the track for the mass start, together with Bente Kerkhoff. But Groenewoud was unable to win. She was defeated in the sprint by the Canadian Ivanie Blondin. The difference on the line was 0.03 seconds.
“I got locked up, sat behind that Chinese and hit the ice with my shoe in the penultimate corner. Then I lost my speed. I went faster in the last 200 meters, but then I was too late.”
Kerkhoff and Groenewoud had a daring plan in mind: they attacked together halfway through the race. “You didn’t expect that, did you,” Groenewoud beamed. “We are strong enough. But Blondin chose the shortest route today.”
Giovannini wins massastart, pride of the earth
The Dutch did not succeed in the men’s race either. Bart Hoolwerf was the best Dutchman in fifth place. Italian Andrea Giovannini won ahead of South Korean Jae-Won Chung and, take note, Jordan Stolz.
The American had also won the 500 meters just under 45 minutes before the mass start. In the sprint of the mass start, Stolz crossed the finish line with both hands behind his back, looking around.
Hoolwerf had seen that Stolz finished third. “That’s great. Especially with the 500 meters. But it’s not like he’s driving laps around everyone. So I’m looking forward to going up the final straight with him. And then sprinting. I’m not saying I’ll win, but I would like to take up the challenge sometime.”
And what did Stolz think of the mass start? “Fine. Tough. It feels a bit like the 1,500 meters twice. It was only my second. In the end it was difficult and I got stuck. I would have wanted to win, but it wasn’t necessary.”
“Am I tired? Yes, I am tired. After yesterday for sure,” said Stolz, who was most happy with the win in the 500 meters on the final day in Calgary. The American had again competed five distances in Calgary: twice the 500 meters, once the 1,000 meters, once the 1,500 meters and the mass start.
Stolz most happy with victory over 500 meters in Calgary: ‘Feeling on the ice was perfect’
In two weeks (5-7 December) the third World Cup weekend of the season will take place in Heerenveen. Stolz is also there. “It’s going to be fun with the fans. I’m looking forward to that.”
