The Dutch men’s speed skating team narrowly qualified for the semifinals of the team pursuit event at the Winter Olympics in Milan, following a selection process marked by controversy and high pressure.
NOS Schaatsen reports from the Netherlands.
Rintje Ritsma, the national coach for the Dutch team pursuit squad, described his experience as tense while watching the men’s formation qualify narrowly for the semifinals. “There was an enormous amount of pressure,” Ritsma acknowledged, adding, “Now we can move on.” This sentiment followed a selection process that had already been fraught with challenges and disputes.
The controversy began in December after the Olympic qualification tournament, when Tim Prins was replaced by Marcel Bosker in the team pursuit lineup despite Prins having secured a place in the 1,500 meters event. The Dutch skating federation (KNSB) made the decision based on the perceived need for Bosker’s contribution to the team pursuit. The other selected skaters—Chris Huizinga, Stijn van de Bunt, and Jorrit Bergsma—had all qualified individually. The choice sparked confusion and even threats directed at Ritsma via social media, highlighting the emotionally charged atmosphere surrounding the team’s preparation.
Ritsma also faced uncertainties regarding the composition of the lineup during the preliminary rounds in Milan. Stijn van de Bunt expressed frustration about the lack of clarity regarding the skating order, although the coach had indicated beforehand that the final selection would be made after the 10,000 meters event. Bergsma’s performance in the 10,000 meters, which earned him a bronze medal, seemed to secure his place on the team, with his coach Jillert Anema expecting him to be included. Anema suggested that diplomatic considerations influenced the final lineup.
Ultimately, the team pursuit selection included Bosker, ensuring that Prins was not sidelined entirely. Ritsma explained that the team strategy involved racing three times, with the intention of including all four skaters to maximize medal potential. The current lineup for the semifinals featured Van de Bunt, Bergsma, and Huizinga competing in that order, aiming to prevent host nation Italy from reaching the final. Italy’s qualifying time was significantly faster, with a margin of 3.45 seconds over the Dutch team.
Despite the significant time gap, Ritsma remained optimistic that a steady and controlled race pace could help them stay competitive with the Italian squad. He emphasized the need to manage energy during the race and indicated he would make tactical decisions on whether to continue or conserve strength for the bronze medal race. Bosker would be brought back in if a third-place finish appeared achievable.
Ritsma expressed satisfaction with the prospect of winning a bronze medal, describing it as a meaningful achievement for the team given the challenges faced. Historically, the Dutch men’s pursuit team has reached the final only once since the event’s introduction in 2006, a final they won in 2014. Meanwhile, he acknowledged higher expectations for the women’s team.
