Antoinette Rijpma-de Jong leaves Jumbo-Visma. The number three in the World Allround Championships continues her career at Reggeborgh, which will remain in skating until 2030.
The striking transition in the last skating week of the year causes mixed feelings for Rijpma-de Jong. Her current employer was also eager for her signature, for a longer stay with the successful team of coach Jac Orie, where she has been under contract since 2018.
However, the Rottum-based team agreed a two-year contract with Reggeborgh with her new management agency Starred Agency (led by former F1 driver Christijan Albers and Stéphane Kox, also known from motorsport).
Rijpma-de Jong: “This switch is one of the most exciting decisions I have made in my career. Leaving behind something that is known and where you have been successful is not easy, but my ambition and hunger for more have made me dare to make this decision. I don’t think anyone has noticed that Reggeborgh is performing very well, and I believe that together with this team I will be able to get that last bit out of myself and my career.”
“I would like to take another step, I feel that it is possible, with the ultimate goal of becoming an Olympic champion. My feeling about the team is good, and I am also convinced that we can achieve great successes together. The reception within Reggeborgh feels like a warm bath. I’m really looking forward to the coming seasons.”
Changeable season
Rijpma-de Jong experienced a mixed season after the previous skating year was the most successful of her career (including European and national all-round champion, world champion 1500 meters). All her teammates, except for Jutta Leerdam, largely failed.
Two weeks ago, after Rijpma-de Jong had become Dutch all-round champion in Thialf, the Rottum native said about last season: “It was of course very bad that we as Jumbo-Visma returned from the World Distance Championships with only a bronze medal.”
Now she says: “I don’t want to end on a negative note. I owe a lot to Jac and the team. It was already in my head to take the next step. And then came Reggeborgh. I am mentally and physically ready for a new stimulus. So a breath of fresh air, a new and different environment. Once again, I am grateful to Jumbo-Visma, but I am ready for something else.”
Successes
Rijpma-de Jong has already participated in the Winter Olympics three times (2014 in Sochi, 2018 in Pyeongchang, 2022 in Beijing), where she won a total of four medals (one silver in the team pursuit in 2018, three bronze). She aims for gold at the next Games in Milan.
She has proven to be very successful at European and World Championships over the years, especially as a member of the pursuit team. Only in 2021 did she celebrate her first individual gold in the 3000 meters. Last January she won the European title in the 1500 meters and was part of the gold team sprint team. On the other hand, the results at the World Cup were disappointing again
Together with sister?
What will she do differently at Reggeborgh? “Hahaha, I don’t know yet,” said Rijpma-de Jong. “But I want to break new boundaries. I’m not done skating yet. I actually want everything. All-round, sprinting, the 1500 meters. Also the 1000 meters yes. We will soon have discussions about how we are going to approach this.”
Moreover, a deeply cherished wish may come true at Team Reggeborgh. Her sister Michelle (24), who is four years younger, is under contract there. “The two of us have often joked about it. How nice it would be if we were in a team together. But I don’t know whether that will continue. Michelle still has to renew, so we’ll have to wait and see.”