Dutch speed skaters Elisa Dul and Suzanne Schulting-Beune recall their time at the Junior World Championships with fondness, particularly their experiences in Salt Lake City.
Schaatsen.nl, based in the Netherlands, provides insights into their memories and current training collaboration.
At the Junior World Championships, Dul and Beune remembered not only the competitive moments but also the lighter side of the event. Beune recounted how the hotel they stayed in was accessible to homeless people, resulting in an unusual situation where one of the Japanese athletes left her hotel room door open, leading to a crowd of homeless individuals entering. Dul described the atmosphere during the event as serious around the competitions, but with junior athletes having more freedom to engage in other activities, such as attending a basketball game.
Nearly eight seasons after their initial experiences, during which Dul spent some time training with coach Jillert Anema, both skaters expressed enthusiasm about reuniting for the current season. Their early training camps have allowed them to continue their progress along the same trajectory they had in 2018. Their history includes building strong friendships with training partners, such as Dul’s connection with Marijke Groenewoud and the bond between Beune and Robin Groot.
When asked about the importance of having a training partner, Beune explained that although she does not necessarily need an allround training partner, she appreciates the motivation that Dul brings. The two skaters support each other, pushing one another to improve. Dul added that having a partner helps them endure the physically demanding sessions and provides someone to share the mental challenges with, making the tough training more manageable.
