Elisa Dul has joined the Albert Heijn Zaanlander speed skating team, where both she and the team are optimistic about her contribution to their middle-distance squad.
Schaatsen.nl, the Netherlands
According to coach Martin ten Hove, Elisa Dul fits well with the team, which already includes skaters such as Stijn van de Bunt, Bart Swings, Jesse Speijers, and Ede Kortlever. Joy Beune, who has benefited from this group for several years, is expected to create a strong combination with Dul. Ten Hove noted that Dul grew up rigorously training at Albert Heijn Zaanlander, enabling her to handle a significant training load.
Elisa Dul and Joy Beune share a close relationship, having skated together during their junior years. In 2018, they competed in the junior team at the World Cup in Salt Lake City, where they won gold in the team pursuit and set a world record that remains unbroken. Beune was also the allround world champion at that time, with Dul finishing third, and Jutta Leerdam earning silver.
Dul explained that she and Beune knew each other well before joining the team, having trained together for several years at the Regional Talent Centre (RTC). Dul had been a close training partner for Marijke Groenewoud over the past eight seasons. She expressed enthusiasm about working with her new teammates and continuing her career after a challenging winter in which she suffered a double leg fracture. The injury allowed her time to reflect, but she never doubted she would return to skating. She acknowledged that some people questioned whether she would continue after leaving Albert Heijn Zaanlander, but she confidently confirmed her decision to keep going.
