Among the Dutch long-track speed skaters preparing for next month’s Winter Olympics in Milan, Anna Boersma is taking a different approach to her Olympic preparation.
Schaatsen.nl, a Netherlands-based news outlet, reports on the selection and preparation strategies of TeamNL athletes.
While many of the country’s top Olympic skaters, including Jutta Leerdam, Kjeld Nuis, Marijke Groenewoud, and Chris Huizinga, are focusing on training camps and the World Cup in Inzell, Boersma, a debutant from Friesland, is opting for an alternative preparation path. This decision sets her apart from her teammates as she aims to make her mark in Milan. Despite the absence of sprint star Femke Kok, who has excelled in recent competitions, Boersma’s strong performances in the World Cup and the Dutch Olympic qualifying tournament (OKT) suggest she could be a leading contender in the sprint events.
At the 2024 European Championships held at Thialf, Dutch female skaters secured gold in every event: Femke Kok took gold in the 500 meters, Jutta Leerdam in the 1000 meters, Antoinette de Jong in the 1500 meters, and Marijke Groenewoud won both the 3000 meters and the mass start. Additionally, the Dutch teams won the team sprint (with Kok, Marrit Fledderus, and De Jong) and the team pursuit (with Joy Beune, Groenewoud, and Irene Schouten).
In contrast, the male Dutch skaters had fewer victories. The only gold medals won by men were in the 500 meters (Jenning de Boo), 1000 meters (Kjeld Nuis), and 5000 meters (Patrick Roest). However, several men reached the podium, including Tim Prins (bronze in the 1000 meters), Wesly Dijs and Stefan Westenbroek (bronze in the team sprint), and Bart Hoolwerf, together with Marcel Bosker and Chris Huizinga, who secured a third-place finish in the team pursuit behind Norway and Italy.
