Gerard van Velde, coach of Dutch speed skaters, achieved notable success at the Milan championships with his athletes winning seven medals, establishing him as a leading figure in Dutch speed skating.
According to AD, the Netherlands, Van Velde’s skaters secured a total of seven medals, including multiple gold and silver, at the long-track events in Milan. The Dutch team under his guidance included medalists such as Femke Kok and Antoinette Rijpma-De Jong, who earned gold medals in the 500-meter and 1500-meter races respectively.
Van Velde, known for his calm and reserved demeanor, acknowledged the significance of this achievement for his coaching career. He described these as his best games to date, emphasizing the importance of athlete development over merely focusing on medal counts. Van Velde stated that the rapid times and podium finishes are a result of helping athletes grow into complete sportspeople.
The medals under Van Velde’s coaching included gold for Femke Kok in the 500 meters and Antoinette Rijpma-De Jong in the 1500 meters, silver for Kok in the 1000 meters, double silver for Jenning de Boo in the 500 and 1000 meters, silver for Rijpma-De Jong in the team pursuit, and bronze for Kjeld Nuis in the 1500 meters. This medal haul made Van Velde the most successful Dutch coach in terms of gold medals at this event.
Van Velde credited not only the skill of his athletes but also the strategic decisions made by the coaching team and sponsors for their strong performance. He contrasted this period favorably against previous, more challenging times for their team. Outside the Reggeborgh team, other Dutch teams such as AH-Zaanlander and Jutta Leerdam’s independent squad also earned medals, while some teams left without podium finishes.
Despite the demanding schedule and close involvement in the event, Van Velde chose to leave Milan before the closing ceremony to return home. He mentioned family commitments related to his two sons’ upcoming national competition and the need to support their preparation. Van Velde’s dedication to coaching both at the elite level and within his family highlights his continuous engagement with speed skating.
