HEERENVEEN - The 2024 Dutch Allround Speed SkATING Championships have crowned new champions, with Joy Beune taking the women’s title and Beau Snellink triumphing among the men.
Beune’s remarkable performance solidified her position as the country’s top female skater. Claiming victory after fierce competition, she outpaced her rivals with poise, showcasing her skill on the ice. Beune, who was also the reigning world champion, revealed her strategies and preparation during the event, emphasizing the intensity of the race.
After concluding the competition, Beune, now the national allround champion, expressed her excitement for the victory. "This is a title I have yet to hold. I am eager to perform at the upcoming European Championships on January 10, 11, and 12," she said. Clinching her first national title added to her achievement after having missed the previous championships due to illness.
During the last event, the 5000 meters, Beune maintained her lead from previous heats, finishing with a time of 6:55.68, narrowly outperforming her closest competitor, Merel Conijn, who delivered her personal best time of 6:48.96. Beune had previously secured her position at the top of the leaderboard after winning the 1500 meters against Antoinette Rijpma-de Jong, overtaking her with respective times of 1:54.59 to 1:55.62.
This season, Beune’s consistent performance, following her successful 1500 meter, paved her way to the championship title. She recalled her tactical approach: "I kept reminding myself of my strength and potential, focusing on the task at hand for the duration of the race." Having previously ruled the 5000 meters at the world level, her confidence and determination were palpable.
Meanwhile, Beau Snellink also showed exceptional skill during the men’s competition. He confirmed his capability by overcoming fierce competitors, marking his place as the national champion. Reports indicated he faced strong challenges, especially from series favorite Patrick Roest who was unable to complete the tournament due to health concerns.
The tournament format required participants to compete across four distances, culminating with the overall score determining the national champion. Each athlete’s performance on the 500 meters, 1500 meters, 5000 meters, and 10,000 meters accumulated points, with lower scores correlatively signifying greater accomplishments.
The competition was more than just about individual titles; it set the stage for upcoming international contests. Beune, who previously missed the chance to compete to defend her title at the European Championships due to health issues, is determined this time around. "This allround title means so much because I had to again focus more on the individual distances as the Olympics approach," she commented.
Antoinette Rijpma-de Jong, who previously dominated the allround competition with four titles over five years, settled for third place this time, still earning her qualification for the European Championships. "I know I can perform much more efficiently; this is not where I want to be," she remarked, reflecting on her performance.
The competition at Thialf was indicative of the talent pool within Dutch speed skating, showcasing both established athletes and rising stars like Conijn, who has shown tremendous promise throughout the season.
Participants expressed mutual admiration; many shared congratulatory remarks after the fierce but friendly competition. This year’s championship has undoubtedly captured the spirit of sportsmanship and competitive edge within the sport.
All eyes now turn to the European Championships, where Beune will aim to add more titles to her name. Fans remain enthusiastic about the future of Dutch speed skating as athletes prepare for the global stage.
"Winning here is just the beginning for me. The Euros are next, and I want to give it my all,” Beune affirmed, showcasing her commitment and ambitions for the seasons to come.
Snellink’s triumph reinforces the competitive outlook for male speed skaters, inspiring younger athletes to strive for similar excellence.
With excitement building for the upcoming events, the Dutch speed skating community looks forward to seeing how these champions will perform on the international stage; Beune, Snellink, and Rijpma-de Jong have set high standards for their potential performances.