Femke Kok, the speed skating sensation from Nij Beets, dominated the World Cup held at Thialf, marking her top performance before the upcoming World Championships. Notably, she remains unbeaten this season on the 500 meters, securing her latest victory with a remarkable time of 37.13 seconds. This win came against competitive athletes, including American Erin Jackson (37.43) and Polish skater Kaja Ziomek-Nogal (37.73), solidifying her status as the favorite for the World Championships set to take place in Hamar, Norway.
On the edge of her season’s pinnacle, Kok has been building momentum, having not participated at the beginning of the World Cup season due to virus-related issues. Despite this setback, she has achieved superb results throughout the season, winning every 500 meters race she entered. Finishing tenth overall in the World Cup rankings, she clearly showcased her potential with the upcoming championship around the corner.
The World Cup event also highlighted Marijke Groenewoud's staggering performance on the mass start. After already clinching her sixteenth marathon win just the day before, Groenewoud proved her prowess by dominating the mass start race at Thialf. Though she faced stiff competition, she accelerated past her rivals, including Canada’s Ivanie Blondin, capturing the win and securing five out of six mass start races throughout the World Cup season. Groenewoud’s victory is expected to bolster her confidence going forward as she heads to Hamar.
Meanwhile, during the men’s mass start event, Jorrit Bergsma missed out on first place after launching an impressive solo effort three laps before the finish. He was overtaken by Italy’s Andrea Nationnini and Korea’s Jae-Won Chung, but Bergsma’s overall performance placed him sixth in the mass start World Cup standings. His commitment, shown by returning to the mass start event after seven years, speaks volumes about his dedication to the sport and his readiness for future challenges.
Adding to the thrilling weekend of sports, SC Heerenveen celebrated their 3-1 win against AZ Alkmaar. The match was characterized by Heerenveen’s exceptional teamwork, with Milo Lukovic scoring the first goal early on after just five minutes, followed by Ilias Sebaoui adding another to extend their lead. Although AZ pushed back, Heerenveen maintained their composure, aided by standout goalkeeper Andries Noppert, who managed to fend off several attempts from the opposing team.
Though AZ managed to score late, VAR intervention canceled the goal due to prior infringement. This allowed Heerenveen to capitalize on their lucky streak, with Lukovic’s missed penalty serving as just collateral. The match concluded with Marcus Linday clinching the third goal, ensuring Heerenveen's position at eighth place within the league standings.
The overall results from the World Cup events at Thialf not only represent the athletes' rapidly approaching preparations for the World Championships but also highlight the strength of Dutch speed skating as they head to Hamar with confidence and accolades.
Success stories like Kok’s and Groenewoud’s are important as they pump enthusiasm back to the Dutch speed skating community, which has been pivotal to the global scene. Their performances will undoubtedly attract attention as the championships draw near.