The World Cup season has started with a disappointment for Irene Schouten. The skater from Hoogkarspel was second in the 3000 meters in Stavanger, Norway. She had won nine times in a row, so she was really upset. First was Ragne Wiklund. Merel Conijn from Edam was fourteenth.
The West Frisian came into action on the penultimate stage and knew she had to improve Wiklund’s time. Schouten’s opening was faster than the Norwegian, but she dropped out afterwards. She tried to improve her time even more.
That didn’t work out in the end, so she finished in 4.05.017. Wiklund crossed the finish line after 4:03.119. Conijn was unable to play a significant role and finished fourteenth. Her finishing time was 4:17.139.
Schouten will skate the team pursuit tomorrow with Antoinette Rijpmade Jong and Marijke Groenewoud. Conijn and Schouten are still participating in the five kilometers on Sunday afternoon.