The Royal Dutch Skating Federation (KNSB) has named multiple skaters for the upcoming World Allround and World Sprint Championships, scheduled from March 5 to 8, resulting in fewer qualifying spots available at the upcoming Dutch Allround and Sprint Championships.
NOS Schaatsen, Netherlands
The KNSB announced the selection of multiple skaters for the World Allround and World Sprint Championships, which means only a limited number of spots remain to be won at the Dutch Allround and Sprint Championships in Heerenveen this coming weekend. Notably, several prominent athletes have already withdrawn from these national competitions.
One significant development is the KNSB’s decision to appoint three women to the World Allround team, which contradicts their earlier selection rules that allowed a maximum of two skaters per tournament to be directly selected by the committee. Since the Netherlands can send only three men and three women to each of the World Championships, this direct appointment eliminates the opportunity for other female skaters to qualify for the World Allround at the upcoming national event.
The selection committee’s decision was based on performances at the Winter Games in Milan and the Olympic Qualification Tournament held in late December. According to Freek van der Wart, representing the selection committee, the criteria did not provide a clear distinction among the top three female allround skaters. For this reason, Antoinette Beune, Joy Groenewoud, and Marijke Rijpma-de Jong were all selected to compete at the World Allround Championships. The committee aimed to protect these athletes’ chances for the world title and allow them to determine their own preparation plans.
This early allocation of three World Allround slots means that Merel Conijn, who finished second at last year’s Dutch Allround Championships and won silver in the 5,000 meters at the Winter Games, will not have an opportunity to compete in the World Allround Championships this season.
By pre-selecting athletes, the KNSB also responds to the expressed need for rest among top skaters who participated in the intense Winter Games in Milan. Several competitors have emphasized the importance of recovery time, while Kjeld Nuis publicly criticized the scheduling of the national championships, stating that it is difficult for Olympians to perform optimally so soon after the Winter Games. Nuis had already withdrawn from the Dutch Sprint Championships and was not granted a spot for the World Championships.
