The Dutch women have reached the semi-finals of the Olympic Games in the speed skating team pursuit. National coach Jan Coopmans from Baarlo is responsible for the team pursuit and saw a mediocre race.
Ireen Wüst, Irene Schouten and Antoinette de Jong were third in Beijing.
Three seconds
In the quarterfinals, Coopmans opted for the same line-up as during the successful European Distance Championships last January. Then Orange drove a strong time and became European champion. To get through to the semi-finals, the Orange squad had to be one of the four fastest time. That worked, but the time of 2.57.26 was more than three seconds slower than Japan and Canada. Japan even set an Olympic record.
Disappointed
The chasing women were disappointed afterwards. “This was below par. Nothing has been lost yet, but we have to pull out all the stops,” Wüst told the NOS† Schouten agreed with this: “There are many areas where we can do better.”
Canada
Because of the third place in the quarterfinals, the Orange will meet Canada in the semifinals. It is no longer about the fastest time, but about winning the direct duel. The semifinals are scheduled for next Tuesday at 7:30 AM. The finals are also on the same day.
riot
In the run-up to the Olympics, there was a riot around the pursuit team. In a video series about Team Zaanlander, the coaches and skaters of that team spoke badly about national coach Coopmans and Wüst. Coach Jillert Anema and speed skater Irene Schouten, who is part of the team pursuit, made special statements. In the end, the quarrel was settled and Coopmans emphasized for the quarterfinals against the NOS that the riot had ended. “We’ve spoken and that’s the end of the matter.” The national coach is clear about the ambitions. “This is about gold.”
Read also: Coopmans and Anema again together on an ice skating rink after riot
The quarterfinals of the men’s team pursuit are scheduled for Sunday.