The weekend of December 28 and 29, 2024, marks the much-anticipated Dutch National Allround and Sprint Speed Skatting Championships held at the renowned Thialf stadium in Heerenveen. The championships are set to showcase some of the country’s best speed skaters, competing for the prestigious national titles and the chance to secure their spots at the upcoming European Championships.
The events kick off on Saturday at 11:10 AM, featuring the women’s 500 meters, followed by the men’s 500 meters. The excitement continues with the 3000 meters for women at 12:15 PM and the 5000 meters for men at 1:30 PM. The sprint events will take place later, starting with the women’s first 500 meters at 3:26 PM, wrapping up with the men’s first 1000 meters at 5:16 PM.
This year’s championships promise thrilling competitions, as several contenders aim for the titles. Among the top female competitors, Joy Beune is expected to vie for the allround title against the defending champion, Antoinette Rijpma-de Jong, who has already won this title five times. Rijpma-de Jong seeks to cement her dominance with yet another win, potentially tying the historic record of Stien Kaiser, who claimed the allround title six times.
For male competitors, Patrick Roest returns to the championships after facing health challenges earlier this season due to complications from dental surgery. His participation is looked upon with curiosity, as he has previously won the national title twice and is among the favorites to take home another gold medal. Fellow competitors, including Marcel Bosker and last year’s champion Chris Huizinga, will also be pushing for top honors.
The thrill does not end with the title fights. The championships serve as qualifying rounds for the European Championships, providing added motivation for skaters to excel. Those finishing among the top three across all classifications will secure their spots at the forthcoming European events, which are set to take place at the same venue just two weeks later.
Anticipation is palpable as speed skating fans eagerly wait for the competition to commence. The thrilling match-ups include highly anticipated races, such as the sprint face-off between Jutta Leerdam and Isabel Grevelt, who won last year’s title and is now competing for glory once again after switching teams.
All eyes will be on Thialf this weekend, as thousands tune in to watch the Dutch National Championships live, courtesy of NOS, which will broadcast the event on NPO 1. Streaming options are also available through the NOS app and website. Notably, for viewers abroad, using VPN services can allow access to the live streams, as geographical restrictions apply.
Fans are counting down the hours until the ice is ready and the competitors line up, their hearts set on national glory. Whether it’s Beune aiming for her first title or Rijpma-de Jong seeking to extend her legacy, this championship is sure to be filled with drama, excitement, and impressive displays of athleticism.
Every detail and performance will be key, as skaters best their records and aim for podium positions. The stakes are high, and with live broadcasts set to run from 10:55 AM to 6 PM each day, enthusiasts can expect non-stop action and sporting excellence.
With recent performances indicating great potential from athletes like Femke Kok, who recently demonstrated her speed upon returning from illness, this championship is poised to highlight not just established champions but also rising stars within the sport.
The weekend promises to be electric, and the entire country will be watching closely as it seeks to determine who will reign supreme as the national champions, setting the stage for the international competitions just around the corner.
So gear up, make your plans to watch, and get ready for what is sure to be another spectacular chapter in Dutch speed skating history!
