The auction is organized by TeamNL. “With this auction, the athletes give something back to the place where their sporting journey began. In doing so, they support the development of new talent and invest in the sporting heroes of tomorrow,” it can be read. on the auction site.
The Olympic Games in Milan were very successful for North Holland. Short tracker Jens van ‘t Wout alone was good for three gold medals and one bronze medal. For his brother Melle there was gold and silver.
Hoping for high yields
There was one of the long track skaters a silver medal on the 5,000 meters for the Edam Merel Conijn, on which Bente Kerkhoff had to drop out injured. The Oostwoud native had a large share in the success of the mass start, in which compatriot Marijke Groenewoud became Olympic champion.
STG Koggenland, the skating club where Bente Kerkhoff took her first steps on the ice, hopes for the highest possible proceeds for the skating suits. Chairman Ed Entius: “We want to use the proceeds to fund training days for our members. There are about 250 in total, ranging from 6 years old to well into their 70s.”
Remarkably, bids can also be placed on the suit that she would wear for the 5,000 meters, but in which she did not start. On Tuesday afternoon the standings stood at 363 euros for the mass start suit and 360 euros for the 5 kilometer suit.
‘A thousand euros should be possible’
“There is still room for more,” says Entius. “Especially when you consider that these suits cost about 600 euros new. A thousand euros should be possible, I would say. They are unique, signed skating suits, of the best quality.”
Merel Conijn’s skating suit yields at least 2,600 euros. Jens van ‘t Wout’s suit was worth 1,100 euros yesterday afternoon, and that of his brother Melle was worth 450 euros. Skater Jutta Leerdam’s suit is the most sought after; someone would be willing to pay at least 7,602 euros for that. Bidding is still possible for a few days.
Entius itself does not plan to bid on Bente Kerkhoff’s suits. “Maybe to raise the price a bit, but that can also be dangerous. Before you know it, you’re stuck with it.”
