After transitioning from short track to long track speed skating, Sofia finds renewed motivation and a supportive team environment in Calgary.
Schaatsen.nl, Netherlands
Sofia, originally a short track skater from Denmark, no longer sees a future for herself in that discipline in her home country. Having taken up long track speed skating four years ago, she feels her development in the sport is still progressing well. Under the guidance of coach Bart Schouten in Calgary, she has regained structure and enjoyment in training, a stark improvement from the previous year when both she and Viktor were without a team. They made significant efforts to join Bart’s squad, resulting in a close-knit international training group.
According to Sofia, the sense of team spirit has been a key factor in rekindling her enthusiasm on the ice. She emphasizes that a positive environment makes a substantial difference and believes she still has considerable potential to develop. While she continues to learn about aspects of the sport and race tactics, financial challenges remain. Their primary funding comes from Viktor’s sponsors and side projects, with the team still seeking additional sponsorship.
Despite navigating a complex period of competitive sport, geopolitical tensions, relocating to a new country, and her partner’s unexpected Olympic success, Sofia maintains a pragmatic outlook. She values the stability and routine that come from intense training alongside her teammates in Calgary. Acknowledging the limited duration of a sporting career motivates her to maximize her abilities and achieve significant accomplishments in long track speed skating.
