Speed skaters Kerkhoff and Conijn have qualified for the upcoming championships in Milan after strong performances during qualification races.
Schaatsen.nl, a Dutch speed skating news outlet, reports on the athletes’ successful qualification for the event in Milan.
Kerkhoff demonstrated her potential with a personal record in the three-kilometer race, which played a key role in securing her spot. She noted that this race was her last opportunity to qualify. While she felt confident during training, performing under the pressure of qualification was a challenge. Despite struggling slightly in the final two laps, her overall time was sufficient. She only allowed herself to celebrate after teammate Marijke Groenewoud completed her race, acknowledging the difficulty her teammate faced.
The 24-year-old Kerkhoff has risen from relative obscurity to become a medal contender for Milan, particularly in the mass start event and, if conditions align, in the five-kilometer race. She remains focused on processing her qualification and preparing for the competitions ahead.
Meanwhile, fellow skater Merel Conijn expressed her excitement after securing her second ticket for the championships. She highlighted the camaraderie of traveling with three female teammates and Jorrit, calling it a special group. Having served as a reserve at the 2022 Beijing Olympics, Conijn said she was motivated to avoid a similar role this time. She conveyed relief and happiness at being able to compete directly in both the three- and five-kilometer distances.
