The athlete is focusing on the upcoming 1500 meter race after a successful 500 meter event, despite the long wait times between races causing some concerns about energy management.
Schaatsen.nl, a Dutch skating news outlet, reports on her preparation and reflections during the tournament.
The skater explained that there was nearly three hours of waiting time between races, which she described as somewhat wasteful of her energy at this point. Her main focus, however, is on the 1500 meter event scheduled for the next day. She expressed enthusiasm for that race but admitted uncertainty about what to expect, as she had only raced that distance once this season.
That one 1500 meter race took place early in the season during a training competition at Thialf, where she astonished observers by setting a track record. She plans to seek advice from specialists on her team about strategy for the 1500 meter, and joked about possibly calling Ireen Wüst, a well-known Dutch speed skater, for guidance.
She noted that she has no pressure for the upcoming distances, having already secured qualification spots in the 1000 and 500 meter events, which are her primary focuses. Earlier in the tournament, she experienced significant stress, particularly on the first day of the qualifying tournament, describing it as very tense. By the third day, during the 500 meter event, she felt more relaxed, which might explain her strong time.
Typically, after races, she would wait for hours at the stadium, with a plan to stay warm and relaxed, including eating pancakes she brought along. However, after this performance, she was able to return to the hotel to rest, expressing happiness about the situation.
