Femke Kok showed a strong start on the 1500 meter, closely contesting the qualification for the Winter Olympics alongside Marijke Groenewoud and Antoinette Rijpma-de Jong.
Schaatsen.nl, a Dutch sports news outlet, reports on the event.
Femke Kok, as expected from a world champion in the 500 meter, started the race rapidly, taking an early lead over fellow competitor Antoinette Rijpma-de Jong. Presence of mind and focus on her own pace and technique allowed Kok to gain significant advantage shortly after the start. It took one minute, 53 seconds, and two hundredths for Rijpma-de Jong to catch up with Kok. In the end, Rijpma-de Jong finished with a time just 0.01 seconds faster than Kok, who in turn finished 0.02 seconds ahead of their teammate Marijke Groenewoud.
All three skaters outperformed the reigning world champion Irene Schouten Beune, securing their spot for the 1500 meter event at the Winter Olympics. Rijpma-de Jong described the race as both challenging and special. She acknowledged Kok’s strong training performances and emphasized the importance of mental toughness for her final push to the finish line. Acknowledging her physical limitations compared to others, she relied on determination to secure her victory.
The race marked an important moment for Rijpma-de Jong, as she had missed qualification in the 1000 meter and withdrew from the 3000 meter event, focusing all efforts on this final chance. Guided by coach Gerard van Velde’s advice, she embraced the risk and commitment required to earn her Olympic berth. Panting the thrill of qualifying, Rijpma-de Jong expressed pride in securing her place on the Olympic team for the fourth time. She looks forward to competing alongside Kok in Milan’s Winter Games.
