Short tracker Sjinkie Knegt has been referred to the B final in the 1000 meters at the World Cup final in Dordrecht. The 33-year-old Frisian finished third in his semi-final.
Only the best two and the fastest number 3 qualified for the A-final. The Italian Luca Spechenhauser was slightly faster than Knegt in the second semifinal.
The short tracker had taken silver in the 1500 meters a week earlier at the World Cup competitions in the German city of Dresden. That was Knegt’s first medal in the World Cup since December 2018. At the World Cup in Dordrecht, Knegt failed to reach the final on the 1500 meters on Saturday. He also missed the final with the team on the relay.
Knegt had received an official warning from the skating association (KNSB) on Thursday because of his statements about the approach of national coach Niels Kerstholt. The short tracker talked about a ‘mess of irregularities’ during a press day on Wednesday. On Saturday, after missing the final on the relay, Knegt once again pointed out that the short trackers lack content.
Suzanne Schulting did qualify for the A-final in the 1000 meters. There is also the B final for Rianne de Vries. Xandra Velzeboer and Selma Poutsma ride the A-final on the 500 meters.
Van ‘t Wout signs off
Jens van ‘t Wout has withdrawn from the last day of the World Cup finals. The 21-year-old short tracker has problems with his groin and does not want to take any risks in the run-up to the World Cup. Van ‘t Wout finished third in the 1500 meters in front of a sold-out Optisport skating hall yesterday and took gold in the mixed relay with the Dutch team.
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