Jutta Leerdam showcased her speed and skill at the NK Sprint championship held at the Thialf ice rink, dominating the competition with impressive times across the events. The 25-year-old skater secured the fastest time of 37.61 seconds for the second 500 meters, increasing her overall lead significantly.
This year’s championship featured fierce rivalries, but the absence of Femke Kok due to health issues brought some shifts within the ranks. Kok, who had previously won the first 500 meters, withdrew after experiencing difficulties stemming from the CMV virus, opting to focus on her recovery rather than risk her health by participating fully.
Leerdam’s performance was under close scrutiny, particularly with her time surpassing both her own earlier record and the finish of her closest competitor, Suzanne Schulting, who clocked 37.88 seconds. Schulting's effort was slightly quicker than her previous performance but not enough to catch up with Leerdam's blistering speed. Joining them at the podium were Dione Voskamp and Marrit Fledderus, who both achieved times of 37.96 seconds.
Looking back at her speed across the circuits, Leerdam expressed mixed feelings about her performance. "Ik ben er blij mee. Ik denk dat ik goed op weg ben naar de winst," she said, conveying both satisfaction with her results and awareness of the potential for improvement. After the race, she noted issues with her footwear and hinted at possibly returning to her former skates, indicating she feels she's lacking just the right amount of speed to maximize her performance.
Throughout the weekend, the championship was also notable for its competitive spirit. Chloé Hoogendoorn, who struggled on the second 500 meters with a time of 38.27 seconds, managed to maintain her third overall position due to her previous performances. This ranking, along with the times recorded by the other athletes, has set the stage for exciting prospects as the athletes prepare for the upcoming EK Sprint championships.
Leerdam currently leads the rankings after her successful efforts, making her position for qualifying spots for the EK Sprint appear secure. She could potentially face new challenges, depending on the decision of KNSB on whether to include Kok after her recovery, which Leerdam supports. "Ik zou er wel achter staan als ze aangewezen wordt. Ik denk dat het voor Nederland extra leuk is als zij ook meedoet," she stated, echoing sentiments about the importance of competition and representation for the Netherlands on the international stage.
With the next event only weeks away, Leerdam will need to fine-tune her preparations, especially considering she still has the 1000 meters — her favored distance — to compete. Skaters like Schulting and Voskamp will also be working hard to close the gap as they look forward to dynamic showdowns at the EK, aiming to outpace each other and clinch precious spots for their national team.
Reflecting on her experience at the NK Sprint, Leerdam summarized her feelings on the demanding championship schedule. "Het was vandaag denk ik wel extra zwaar. Het was oké, het kan denk ik allemaal wel veel beter. Maar ik ben gewoon heel blij met de winst," she shared, signaling her determination to come back even stronger and more prepared for the upcoming competitions.