Joy Beune, the reigning world champion allround speed skater, is currently making waves at the NK Allround championships, held at Thialf, Heerenveen. Following her much-publicized Playboy shoot last August, which garnered significant attention, Beune has reshifted her focus back to the track. She admitted, "Voor mij was het een weekje dat de aandacht daarop ging, maar ondertussen was ik keihard aan het trainen," indicating her determination to train hard even amid the limelight.
After the first day of competition, Beune finds herself positioned for success as she trails only the titleholder Antoinette Rijpma-de Jong by the narrowest of margins. This past Saturday, Beune faced Rijpma-de Jong and responded to the challenge with commendable performances. On the 500 meters, she clocked 39.44 seconds, landing her third place, which was followed by her impressive recovery on the 3,000-meter race, where she managed to outperform by gaining over three seconds. Now, she stands poised at second overall, demonstrating her elite competitive spirit.
While Beune has become somewhat of a controversial figure, especially after her daring appearance created quite the buzz, it hasn't detracted from her sporting prowess. She remains largely grounded amid the spotlight. Reflecting on the public’s reaction to her Playboy feature, she said, "Mensen zeiden dat ze het cool vonden," expressing gratitude for the support she received from fans and peers alike, including her teammates, though some like Sebas Diniz preferred to steer clear of the magazine altogether.
This season’s NK Allround is significant for Beune, as she eyes her first national title. After the first set of events, all eyes are on her performance during the second day. She will need to close the 0.25-second gap behind Rijpma-de Jong on the 1,500 meters to reclaim the lead. The excitement is palpable as the competition commences.
Beune has established herself as one of the powerful symbols of Dutch speed skating, and titles are the objectives she pursues. A Dutch allround championship would be the crowning achievement for her remarkable career, already decorated with significant wins. "Ik deed het voor mezelf. Ik heb ervan genoten," she stated about her photoshoot, emphasizing her autonomy over decisions and celebrating her winning attitude.
Throughout the championship, Beune maintains her focus, as she works on refining the details of her racing techniques, keeping herself rooted and dedicated to her ultimate goal: to be the best skater possible. The completed weekend at Thialf may bring her one step closer to realizing her dream. It appears, especially as competitions heat up, Beune’s veil of ‘calm’ prevails, reminding her of the true challenge she faces: performance on the ice.
With the support of her loyal teammates and fans, Beune's confidence continues to build. The applause on the rink serves as encouragement, and even as the outside world buzzes with gossip and accolades surrounding her Playboy debut, her commitment to her sport remains uncompromised.
Looking forward, Joy Beune is set to be one of the prominent faces of Dutch speed skating, and her aspirations extend beyond national titles. She aims to excel at the world level, particularly focusing on the upcoming World Championships scheduled for March. Her experiences, both on the ice and within the media spotlight, have shaped her resilience as she continues to thrive amid the pressures of being both an athlete and public figure.
The women’s competition remains fierce, but with her competitive streak, Beune is more than ready to embrace the challenges of her powerhouse opponents, chiefly Rijpma-de Jong. With the NK Allround championships well underway, speed skating fans can expect to see fierce competition emerge, but will Beune clinch the title this time? Only time will tell.
