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 #SpeedSkating

DeJong1500M

Rijpma-de Jong NED) takes gold in the Women's 1500m during the speed skating World Cup (NED) @ ISU

The Dutch women gave the home crowd something to cheer for at Thialf stadium on Saturday. Antoinette Rijpma-de Jong (NED) surprised Miho Takagi (JPN) in the 1500m, while Marrit Fledderus, Michelle de Jong and Femke Kok (NED) left Canada and the United States behind in the Team Sprint to conclude the second day of the ISU World Cup in Heerenveen. 

First 1500m gold for Rijpma-de Jong

With a sixth place in the 3000m and fifth place in the 1500m and 1000m last week in Stavanger, Antoinette Rijpma-de Jong did not have a very smooth start to the season. However home ice seemed to give her just the trigger she needed to step up her game, going into the second leg of the ISU World Cup this weekend.

“Thialf, with all the people cheering, always gives me an extra boost,” she said.

The 27-year-old stopped the clock at 1 minute and 53.73s in the eighth of 10 pairings. She knew it was a good time, but there were still some strong contenders to come in the final three pairs.

“I was relieved [when I saw my finishing time]. It felt quick already, three stable laps. I focus on my technique, so during the race I do not look at the clock. Still it was a surprise to see the 1:53 on the scoreboard.

“Last week was a struggle. My timing was off, it’s tougher ice [in Stavanger]. Here [in Thialf] you can push hard and everything you put into the ice comes back in speed.”

Last week’s 1500m winner Miho Takagi came closest to Rijpma-de Jong in the penultimate paring, but the Beijing 2022 silver medalist fell 0.19 seconds short to get a back-to-back win.

“She started too cautious,” coach Johan de Wit (NED) commented. “Her second lap was too slow, that’s where she should take time on Rijpma-de Jong.” 

Takagi said: “The last lap was tough. My legs were hurting. I just felt like my skating is not at the maximum in terms of efficiency. I don’t feel I am devastated or anything, and I will keep working hard as usual.”

With 27.9s Rijpma-de Jong was faster in the second lap, and despite being faster in the penultimate lap, Takagi had to bow her head at the finish line. 

“Finally faster than Takagi,” Rijpma-de Jong said. “She is a really big skater, to beat her here in Thialf is very special.”

After already having won three 3000m World Cup golds, Saturday’s win was Rijpma-de Jong’s career first in the 1500m.

Marijke Groenewoud (NED) repeated last week’s bronze medal with 1:54.64 in the final pairing. 

Groenewoud1500M

Marijke Groenewoud takes bronze in the Women's 1500m during the speed skating World Cup (NED) @ ISU

 “It feels good to be on the podium twice in the 1500m [this season], but the gap with [Rijpma-de Jong and Takagi] is a little too big. I hope to be able to close in during the rest of the season.”

Dutch rate Team Sprint high

After Rijpma-de Jong’s 1500m gold, Marrit Fledderus, Michelle de Jong and Femke Kok skated like a well-oiled machine to win the women’s Team Sprint in 1 minute and 26.57s.

Canada (Brooklyn McDougall, Carolina Hiller and Ivanie Blondin) came second in 1:27.45 and the United States (McKenzie Browne, Erin Jackson, and Kimi Goetz) took bronze in 1:27.72.

The Dutch were all smiles on top of the podium.

Dutchwomenteam

The Netherlands Women's Team sprint took gold in the World Cup in Thialf (NED) @ ISU

 “Maybe some people think the Team Sprint is less important,” said De Jong, “but for us this is a very important event, also because there’s only one 500m in a World Cup weekend.” 

To have the Team Sprint as an Olympic event  “would give it an enormous boost internationally,” Kok added. 

"At the Olympic Games there’s a Mass Start and a Team Pursuit. Those are team events for middle and longer distance skaters. To have a team event for sprinters in the Games would be great.”

Program

The Heerenveen World Cup starts with the 1000m and the Mass Start for both genders on Friday. On Saturday the wWmen will skate the 1500m and the Team Sprint, while the Men take on the 500m and the 5000m, and the Sunday schedule features the 1500m and the Team Sprint for Men and the 500m and the 3000m for Women.

 

World Cup Standings - Men

Men 500m

Men 1000m

Men 1500m

Long Distances

Mass Start

Team Pursuit

World Cup Standings - Women

Women 500m

Women 1000m

Women 1500m

Long Distances

Mass Start

Team Pursuit

 

Where to watch

Viewers will be able to watch the World Cup sessions (local time) via their national broadcaster/channel.

For countries where there are no broadcasters, the ISU will offer a live stream on the Skating ISU YouTube Channel. You will find the full list on the Where to watch webpage here.

 

ISU World Cup Short Track Speed Skating Series events 2022/23:

Nov 11 - 13, 2022                      Stavanger /NOR 

Nov 18 - 20, 2022                     Heerenveen/ NED

Dec 09 - 11, 2022                      Calgary /CAN

Dec 16 - 18, 2022                      Calgary /CAN

Feb 10 - 12, 2023                      Tomaszów Mazowiecki /POL

Feb 17 - 19, 2023                      World Cup Final - Tomaszów Mazowiecki /POL