Suzanne Schulting Extends Contract with Team Essent, Aims to Continue Combining Long Track and Short Track
Dutch speed skating star Suzanne Schulting has extended her contract with Team Essent through mid-2028, reaffirming her commitment to competing in both long track and short track speed skating disciplines. The 28-year-old Groningen native confirmed the extension, which keeps her tied to the team led by commercial director Sven Kramer and coach Jac Orie, as reported by multiple Dutch media outlets including RTL Nieuws and NU.nl.
Schulting, who has established herself as one of the most decorated short track skaters in history with three Olympic gold medals from the 2022 Beijing Games, has been actively pursuing a dual-discipline career since venturing into long track skating two years ago. Her decision to extend the contract comes after a season where she demonstrated significant progress on the long track, including winning the Dutch sprint title and earning a silver medal at the World Sprint Championships.
The extension reflects Schulting’s ambition to continue what she describes as “dubbelen” – the Dutch term for combining both skating disciplines. In her own words, the experience “tasted like more,” indicating her desire to push further in both arenas. This approach makes her one of the few elite skaters attempting to compete at the highest level in both long track and short track simultaneously.
Team Essent’s leadership has expressed confidence in Schulting’s dual-discipline approach. Coach Jac Orie, who oversees both her long track and short track development, welcomed the contract extension, noting her growth and potential. Commercial director Sven Kramer, a former Olympic long track champion himself, has been instrumental in shaping the team’s strategy to support athletes pursuing multiple disciplines.
Schulting’s long track development has shown promising signs despite the inherent challenges of balancing two technically demanding disciplines. During the past season, she competed in events such as the World Cup stops and the Dutch championships, where she demonstrated her ability to adapt to the different demands of long track skating while maintaining her elite short track form.
The contract extension through mid-2028 provides Schulting with stability as she prepares for upcoming Olympic cycles. With the next Winter Olympics scheduled for 2026 in Milan and Cortina, followed by the 2030 Games, the extended agreement covers a critical period in her athletic development. Her participation in both disciplines could potentially increase her medal opportunities across multiple events.
As one of the Netherlands’ most prominent winter sports athletes, Schulting’s decision to continue her dual-discipline pursuit draws significant attention from fans and media alike. Her success in short track has already cemented her legacy, but her long track ambitions represent a new challenge that could further enhance her standing in the sport.
The extension announcement aligns with broader trends in speed skating where athletes increasingly explore opportunities across disciplines, though few have achieved sustained success at the elite level in both. Schulting’s commitment to this path may inspire other skaters to consider similar dual-discipline approaches.
Looking ahead, Schulting’s immediate focus will be on preparing for the upcoming speed skating season, where she will compete in both long track and short track events. Her training regimen will continue under the guidance of Coach Jac Orie, with support from Team Essent’s infrastructure and resources.
For the latest updates on Suzanne Schulting’s career and Team Essent’s activities, fans can follow the team’s official communications and major sports news outlets covering Dutch speed skating.
What are your thoughts on Schulting’s decision to continue combining long track and short track skating? Share your perspective in the comments below.
