Skater Irene Schouten from Hoogkarspel has won the Dutch title in the 3000 meters for the third time. The three-time Olympic champion from AH-Zaanlander was the best in Heerenveen with a time of 3.56.78. Silver and bronze went to teammates Marijke Groenewoud and Elisa Dul.
There are no World Cup and European Championship tickets for defending champion Antoinette Rijpma-de Jong in the 3000 meters. The Jumbo-Visma skater, world champion at this distance in 2021, finished fifth in 4:01.11. The 28-year-old Friezin finished third in the 1500 meters a day earlier. Joy Beune, winner of the 1500 meters on Thursday, also missed out on a World Cup ticket for the 3000 meters with a fourth place.
Schouten beat her teammate Groenewoud in a direct match. The 31-year-old from North Holland also dipped under Dul’s fastest time of 3.59.87. Groenewoud was also faster and brought her personal record to 3.57.56.
The National Championship distances serve as qualification for the World Championship distances that will be held in Calgary from February 15 to 18. The top three in the 5000 meters can in principle count on a ticket for the World Cup. For the European Championship distances that take place from 5 to 7 January in Thialf, there is a maximum of ten Dutch participants per gender and a selection order. Only Schouten and Groenewoud are certain.