The rest of the Zaanlanders will fly to the United States this week, where the international skating year will kick off in Salt Lake City (November 14-16) and Calgary (a week later). This means that Marijke Groenewoud, Jorrit Bergsma, Bente Kerkhoff and Elise Dul will appear at the start in North America. At the request of Groenewoud’s coaches Jillert Anema and Arjan Samplonius, the Frisian will not be used in the team pursuit. In that case, Groenewoud would participate in four distances and her team thinks that is too much of a good thing. She is replaced by teammate Elisa Dul.
Regarding Conijn, Samplonius explained on Tuesday afternoon: “Our assessment is that the competitions in North America ultimately cost her more physically than they yield. After consultation with the KNSB selection committee, we chose to continue training with Merel in the Netherlands and let her gain competition rhythm in the marathons.”
Jillert Anema is at odds with the KNSB. © ANP/HH
Samplonius expects that Conijn will only be shown to the general public again in the Olympic qualifying tournament (OKT) at the end of December. “The skaters who are now participating in the World Cups in Salt Lake City and Calgary will also participate in the World Cups in Heerenveen and Hamar,” said the AH Zaanlander coach. Heerenveen (during the Sinterklaas weekend) and Hamar (12-14 December) complete the first World Cup cycle. Samplonius: “We will normally see Merel again at the OKT.”
How Jillert Anema prepares Team AH Zaanlander in Tuscany for Olympic skating success: from intense sprint sessions to cappuccino
On Monday, Anema announced that not the KNSB, but AH Zaanlander itself decides who from his team will ride where. He seemed to go against the express wish of the skating association to field the strongest athletes in the first four World Cups of this Olympic year and threatened not to send his skaters to the World Cups in Salt Lake City and Calgary (a week later). In these World Cup competitions, points must be collected to provide the maximum number of starting places for the Milan Winter Games (9 men, 9 women). Sanne in ‘t Hof is now joining Merel Conijn.
National coach Rintje Ritsma (l) and technical director Remy de Wit. © ANP/HH
Joy Beune has been assigned a designated spot. The star of IKO-X20 reported sick after the first day of the National Distance Championships (3rd at 1500 meters), but is now allowed to participate in the 3 kilometers in Salt Lake City. Provided the Twente is healthy again. “Joy will be monitored daily by our federal doctor in the coming week,” said Freek van der Wart on behalf of the KNSB selection committee. “Next Saturday we will see whether she is fit enough to compete in the 3000 meters in addition to the 1500 meters and the team pursuit in Salt Lake City.”
Finally, Tim Prins has decided not to participate in the 500 meters. The Jouster of Team Reggeborgh thinks the 1000 and 1500 meters are sufficient. As a result, Merijn Scheperkamp (from Team Essent) is allowed in the rematch. Scheperkamp was in danger of having to miss the World Cups due to a disappointing National Distance Championships, but can now pack his bags for the first skating trip of the Olympic season.
Merel Conijn was the best over the long distances in Thialf last weekend. She won the 3000 and 5000 meters. © ANP/HH
Reggeborgh rumbles on, Jutta Leerdam is not worried despite a knock at NK: ‘Then I am at my best’
National coach Rintje Ritsma (l) and technical director Remy de Wit. © ANP/HH