IKO has officially added long-distance skating talent Ede Kortlever to their roster, following discussions held prior to the Junior National Championships at the end of January.
Schaatsen.nl, a Dutch ice skating news outlet, reported on the recent agreement between Kortlever and IKO.
Martin ten Hove, co-founder of the IKO team along with his brother Erwin, described the initial meeting as a straightforward informational discussion. Ten Hove explained that prior contact had been made with Arjan van der Veen, the trainer from Ede, who expressed confidence in Kortlever’s mental focus. The meeting quickly progressed when Kortlever indicated he already had a clear idea of his preferred path, choosing to join IKO. The negotiations were concluded swiftly following this declaration.
Kortlever is recognized for his strength in long-distance skating and is seen as a valuable addition to the IKO athlete group, which includes skaters such as Stijn van de Bunt, Bart Swings, and Jesse Speijers. Ten Hove expressed confidence that Kortlever’s dedication matches well with established team members. He also noted that Van de Bunt’s progression through the TalentNED program offers a positive model for what Kortlever could achieve, though acknowledging that success requires ongoing effort.
IKO has closely monitored Kortlever’s performance since he was a junior A1 level skater, tracking and analyzing his race results. Early in the season, Kortlever and a group from TalentNED participated in several training sessions with the IKO team, providing further insight into his character and compatibility with the squad. Ten Hove also visited the Junior World Championships in Inzell after the Winter Olympics to observe Kortlever in competition.
