Angel Daleman, a multiple World Junior and Youth Olympic champion from the Netherlands, aims to balance her career in both speed skating and short track following a near miss at the 2026 Winter Olympics.
ISU Skating, the official outlet based in Switzerland, reports on Daleman’s ambitions and recent performances.
The 19-year-old athlete has focused primarily on speed skating in the past season but has expressed a desire to integrate short track back into her training regime. Daleman noted that short track skating benefits her overall technique, particularly with timing and cornering skills, which complement her speed skating abilities. She began considering a return to short track after participating in the Dutch National Short Track Championships, despite having only minimal recent experience on short track skates.
Daleman described narrowly missing qualification for the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games as a challenging experience but viewed it as an opportunity for growth. After the Olympic trials, she decided to compete in short track events again and found the experience enjoyable. This rekindled interest raised the question of how successful she could be in competing at the highest level in both skating disciplines simultaneously.
While speed skating remains her main focus, Daleman remains ambitious about short track and aims to see if she can maintain competitiveness in both areas. Balancing the demanding schedules of the ISU Speed Skating World Cup and the ISU Short Track World Cup, which often overlap geographically and temporally, will present a significant challenge. Daleman plans to discuss with her coach, Jac Orie, how to manage the calendar effectively.
In addition to her ice skating pursuits, Daleman competed in inline speed skating during the summer, winning medals at the Dutch National Track Championships. Although inline skating is more recreational for her, she values the continued engagement in different skating disciplines. Her career thus exemplifies versatility across multiple forms of skating as she develops her talents on ice.
