Speed ​​skater Schouten has more chance of winning a World Cup title than she thought

Speed ​​skater Irene Schouten had previously thought that the all-round world title would be very difficult with Miho Takagi as opponent. But halfway through the tournament, the 29-year-old from North Holland is less than half a second behind the Japanese for the 1500 meters on Sunday. “I really have to work tomorrow”, the three-time Olympic champion looked ahead at the NOS.

Schouten had hoped to lose no more than 2 seconds on Takagi in the 500 meters. After all, the Japanese won silver at that distance at the Olympics. However, with a personal best of 39.24 against 38.31 of Takagi, the difference was only 0.93 seconds. “I thought if Takagi can ride 37 low in the 500 meters, it would be very difficult. Now the difference was only 0.9. I was happy with that, but I also thought: shit, now I can go for the title. ”

Schouten was very happy with her track record of 3.58.00 in the 3000 meters, but would have preferred something a little faster. She expects Takagi and Antoinette de Jong to win time on her in the 1500 meters on Sunday. “Then I hope I can take back time on the 5 kilometers.”