The Daikin Dutch Allround Championships lost two of its top contenders in the women’s competition after the first day, as Merel Conijn and Marijke Groenewoud withdrew from the event, while Marcel Bosker currently leads the men’s tournament with a strong performance in the 5,000 meters.
NOS, Netherlands
Merel Conijn, the favorite to win the women’s title, withdrew abruptly after competing in the 500 meters, expressing frustration related to missing out on a World Championship spot. She will not participate in the final day of the championships. Similarly, Marijke Groenewoud, who was leading the competition after two distances, announced she would not race on the last day to focus on the upcoming World Allround Championships in Heerenveen. Their withdrawal shifts the focus to Gioya Lancee, who now enters the final day as the overall leader, having placed fourth in the 500 meters and third in the 3,000 meters.
Before the national championships, the Dutch skating federation (KNSB) had already designated three skaters—Joy Beune, Antoinette Rijpma-de Jong, and Groenewoud—for guaranteed places at the World Championships. This meant no World Championship qualification spots were available through the national event, leaving only the national title at stake. Conijn expressed dissatisfaction with this situation prior to the start of the championships. Groenewoud’s decision to skip the final day was motivated by her priority to prepare for the World Championships.
In the men’s competition, Marcel Bosker leads after a strong showing on the first day. He posted competitive times in the 500 meters and an impressive victory in the 5,000 meters, finishing multiple laps at a sub-29 second pace. His main competitors Remco Stam and Louis Hollaar trail by a significant margin, with reigning national champion Beau Snellink having a challenging start. On Sunday, the men will race the 1,500 and 10,000 meters, with Bosker positioned well to claim his third national allround title.
Notable absences in the men’s event include Stijn van de Bunt and Chris Huizinga, who have been selected by the KNSB for World Championship participation and thus did not compete at the nationals. Only the winner of the men’s national allround championship will earn a spot at the World Championships.
