At the European Speed Skating Championships, two veteran German athletes, Gunda Niemann-Stirnemann and Claudia Pechstein, provided coaching to emerging talents on the national team.
Schaatsen.nl, a Dutch news outlet, reports on the involvement of these experienced Olympians in mentoring the young skaters.
Gunda Niemann-Stirnemann, a three-time Olympic champion, and Claudia Pechstein, who has won five Olympic titles, took on coaching roles to guide the newcomers. Their presence was warmly received by the athletes, who showed respect toward their mentors. The coaches answered questions from the young skaters about optimal preparation and managing competition nerves. Pechstein noted the positive dynamic of having three female coaches at the event, calling it a demonstration of ‘girl power.’ Niemann-Stirnemann admitted feeling some nervousness herself but acknowledged that, as coaches, they were removed from the direct pressure of competing.
Taking inspiration from her own coaches during her competitive career, Niemann-Stirnemann emphasized providing support while not interfering with the athletes’ focus before races. She told the debutants to view the championships as an opportunity to showcase their skills and reminded them that they had nothing to lose as rookies. Celebrating the chance to compete was an important message she conveyed to the young skaters, linking enjoyment with sustained commitment in the sport.
Reflecting on the weekend, Pechstein expressed satisfaction with the team’s performance, particularly highlighting the team sprinters winning a medal following an incident involving the Dutch team. While some athletes experienced nerves typical of their first European Championships, the overall experience was valuable for their development. The event allowed the rookies to compete on a prominent stage with television coverage, which is rare for skaters who usually race in non-televised B-groups. The coaches regarded the weekend as a positive stepping stone for the future of German speed skating.
