The Dutch women’s speed skating team faced unexpected setbacks as Joy Beune, Marijke Groenewoud, and Merel Conijn all missed the podium in the 3,000 meter race on the first day of the Winter Olympics in Milan, with Italian Francesca Lollobrigida claiming gold in front of her home crowd.
NOS Schaatsen, Netherlands
Prior to the event, the Dutch women were considered strong contenders for medals, alongside Norway’s Ragne Wiklund who took silver. However, all three Dutch skaters finished off the podium, with Beune placing fourth, Groenewoud eighth, and Conijn ninth. Beune, the reigning world champion, expressed her sadness after the race, acknowledging her disappointment despite a race she described as fairly good. She noted that the last two laps were weaker and that the winning time was exceptionally fast.
Beune’s preparation had faced challenges, including missing qualification for the 1,500 meter at the Olympic qualifying tournament (OKT), which also took a toll on her physical condition. She said the recent period had been difficult, but she had done everything possible to be fit for the Olympics. The OKT, held in late December, demanded a great deal of energy from skaters, and despite their efforts, none of the three secured a medal in this race.
Groenewoud, who showed some optimism before the race, struggled to keep pace with Ragne Wiklund and acknowledged that she was not performing at her best. She described the race as a pursuit rather than a competitive battle for the lead.
Conijn was uncertain about the cause of her performance, commenting on the differences in the ice conditions compared to her usual rink, and feeling the pressure of the Olympic atmosphere. She admitted to technical difficulties during the race and said the overall tension was higher than she had experienced before.
Despite the initial disappointment, the Dutch skaters are looking ahead to upcoming events. Groenewoud plans to continue training and focus on the team pursuit, where they are considered a strong unit. Beune emphasized the team’s preparation for the pursuit and the competition against strong teams like Canada. Conijn will turn her attention to the 5,000 meter race, recognizing the need to improve speed and performance as the Games continue.
