Kim Veenhuis secured a bronze medal in the allround classification at the recent championship, matching her achievement from the previous year despite a more competitive field.
Schaatsen.nl, the Netherlands
Last year, Veenhuis won three medals, including gold in the team pursuit, bronze in the 3000 meters, and a bronze overall in the allround classification. This year, while she fell just short of the podium in the 3000 meters, she managed to set four personal records throughout the competition. After three distances, she ranked tenth overall, and a strong performance in the 3000 meters propelled her back into third place, earning a bronze medal in the allround standings.
Veenhuis noted that the level of competition had increased significantly compared to last year. For example, the winning time in the 1500 meters improved from over two minutes the previous season to 1:56 this year, a difference attributed not only to the ice conditions but also to the presence of athletes with experience in senior World Cups and even the Milan Olympics.
The 18-year-old athlete reported substantial improvements in her times this winter, lowering her 1000 and 1500 meter times by nearly three seconds each, and trimming eleven seconds off her preferred 3000 meter distance compared to the previous season. She credits her progress to advancements in both technique and race tactics, supported by her coach Peter Kolder and the positive atmosphere within the team.
Veenhuis is preparing for her final junior competition next week at the Dutch Championships. Looking ahead, she aims to join a top professional team, though she is focusing on the present rather than the World Championships at this time. As the top Dutch junior athlete, she has demonstrated her potential to compete among elite skaters.
In addition to her athletic goals, Veenhuis is facing an important academic milestone. In May, she will take her final HAVO exams, including subjects like mathematics, geography, and English. Despite limited attendance at school due to her international skating commitments, she feels well-prepared, particularly believing that her experiences interacting with international peers have helped her English.
