Orange PicturesKjeld Nuis and Joy Beune in March 2024 in Inzell
NOS Schaatsen•vandaag, 19:14
On Sunday, tears of happiness flowed in Thialf. Veteran Hein Otterspeer had essentially secured a ticket for the World Cups in Nagano (November 22-24) and Beijing (November 29-December 1) with a fifth place in the 1,000 meters at the World Cup qualifying tournament, but now he has been passed over. by the KNSB.
The selection committee of the skating association chooses to delegate Kjeld Nuis to the 1,000 meters, at the expense of 36-year-old Otterspeer. Nuis is also allowed to ride the 1,500 meters and Freek van der Ham is the victim of that decision.
Nuis’ girlfriend Joy Beune also gets a starting spot for the 3,000 meters. Former world champion Antoinette Rijpma-De Jong must give up her ticket.
Nuis was absent in Thialf due to groin complaints and Beune had to cancel the qualifying tournament prematurely due to illness.
World top
“Kjeld has proven his position as a world star several times and has won medals at both distances at international level,” writes Freek van der Wart on behalf of the selection committee. “He was one of two Dutch men who won a medal at the World Championships distances last season.”
See below how emotional Hein Otterspeer was when he thought he had won the World Cup ticket.
Otterspeer in tears after World Cup ticket 1,000 meters: ‘Satisfaction is great’
Beune qualified for the World Cups in the 1,500 meters on Friday, but missed the rest of the weekend due to illness. Yet the selection committee wanted to make an exception for her.
“Joy proved himself as an absolute world top athlete in the second half of last season in the 3,000 and 5,000 meters,” said Van der Wart. “At the World All-round Championships in Inzell, Joy set a track record in the 3 kilometers with a time of 3.55.72 and just before that she became world champion in the 5 kilometers in Calgary.”
No short track yet for Schulting, but World Cup long track
The short track athletes Suzanne Schulting and Angel Daleman will remain with the long track selection for the time being and will also compete in the first two World Cups.
“Suzanne’s ankle was re-examined this week,” said technical director Remy de Wit. “After consultation with the medical guidance, it was decided that she cannot compete in short track for the time being, but can remain active on the long track. As soon as it is medically possible, she will resume short track training.”
The only 17-year-old Daleman was one of the revelations of the qualifying tournament.
The selection committee, which in addition to former short tracker Van der Wart consists of technical director Remy de Wit and former skater Andries Kasper, mainly took the Olympic Games in Milan in 2026 into account in its choice.
Van der Wart: “The collective interest to start with as many Dutch people as possible at the Games in Milan next year has been decisive in the decisions we have made. In order to strengthen our starting position for the maximum number of quota places for Milan, we want to We need to lay the foundation for this in the World Cup rankings this season.”
Rust and Cook
Patrick Roest, who had withdrawn from the qualifying tournament, announced on Monday that he would not be entitled to a place for the first two World Cup matches. The world champion in the 5,000 meters, who suffers from the after-effects of an infected wisdom tooth, is focusing on his recovery.
Femke Kok, the world champion in the 500 meters, is absent due to a viral infection.
World Cup in Nagano with NOS
The Speed Skating World Cup competitions in Nagano can be seen live on NOS.nl and in the NOS app from Friday, November 22 to Sunday, November 24. The broadcast starts every day at 7:00 am.
The Rollercoaster of Dutch Speed Skating: Tears, Triumph, and Tactical Decisions
Ah, the heartwarming world of speed skating—where tears of joy mingle with the fragrant aroma of disappointment. This past Sunday, emotions were running higher than a hamster on a caffeine kick at Thialf, as veteran Hein Otterspeer thought he’d secured his ticket to the World Cups in Japan and China, only to have that dream crash faster than a contestant in a pie-eating contest. The 36-year-old skater’s achievement of a fifth-place finish in the 1,000 meters at the World Cup qualifying tournament should have been a cause for celebration, but alas, fate had other plans.
Selecting the Stars
The KNSB selection committee—confident and occluded—decided to send Kjeld Nuis into the 1,000 meters instead. Yes, the same Kjeld Nuis who was recovering from groin issues, because nothing says “world-class athlete” like competing with the help of a medical team and a pack of frozen peas! Nuis also managed to snag a spot in the 1,500 meters, leaving poor Freek van der Ham spinning his wheels on the sidelines. Talk about rubbing salt in the wounds!
Girlfriends and Gold Medals
If you thought this saga couldn’t get juicier, Nuis’s girlfriend Joy Beune also scored a slot for the 3,000 meters—pushing former world champion Antoinette Rijpma-De Jong off the roster like a contestant in a reality TV show. I mean, can you believe the drama? It’s like watching an episode of *The Bachelor* but set on ice!
The Justification
Freek van der Wart, spokesperson for the selection committee, took it upon himself to defend the decisions made, because clearly, the spotlight wasn’t bright enough. “Kjeld has proven his position as a world star…” he insists, as if they’d just dropped the mic at a hip-hop concert. What is baffling is that Nuis, absent from Thialf, still came out ahead. It’s like winning Monopoly while on a bathroom break!
Absentees and Injuries
And just when you thought it was smooth sailing, the injury bug struck harder than a heavy metal band at a silent auction. Patrick Roest, the reigning world champion in the 5,000 meters, withdrew due to concerns over an infected wisdom tooth. I mean, everyone loves a dramatic storyline, but can we keep it out of the dentist’s chair? Meanwhile, Femke Kok, the world champion in the 500 meters, is grappling with a viral infection. Come on, give these athletes a break! They need a spa day, not a sick day!
Looking Ahead: The World Cups
Now, as we look ahead to the World Cups taking place from November 22-24 in Nagano, it’s clear that the Dutch are aiming for nothing short of a gold rush in Milan 2026. Call it strategy, call it shrewdness—either way, you can be sure it’s all about positioning for those precious Olympic quota spots. Fans, mark your calendars; the drama will unfold live on NOS from 7:00 am daily—complete with twist endings and bathroom breaks galore.
The Final Word
In the riveting saga of speed skating, where the sublime meets the absurd, each decision affects the lives, careers, and emotions of the athletes involved. It’s a fine line between glory and despair, and as we lace up our skates to rally behind our favorites, let’s hope they’re ready to glide past the competition without the drama turning into a melodrama!
The selection committee of the KNSB opted to send Kjeld Nuis to the 1,000 meters for the upcoming World Cups, making the decision at the expense of veteran skater Hein Otterspeer, who, at 36 years old, had hoped to represent the Netherlands. This decision comes after Otterspeer’s strong performance at the World Cup qualifying tournament, where he finished fifth in the 1,000 meters, initially suggesting he had secured a spot.
In an unexpected twist, Nuis, although struggling with groin issues, has received a second opportunity, as he will also compete in the 1,500 meters, which unfortunately means that fellow skater Freek van der Ham loses his chance at those distances. Meanwhile, Nuis’ partner, Joy Beune, has earned her position for the 3,000 meters, which saw former world champion Antoinette Rijpma-De Jong sidelined from the roster.
Beune demonstrated resilience by qualifying for the 1,500 meters on Friday despite having to pull out of the tournament due to illness, showcasing her dedication to the sport. The selection committee, moved by her prior achievements, made an exception to grant her a spot for the World Cups.
Kjeld Nuis has repeatedly established his credentials as a world-class athlete, having clinched medals at international competitions across the 1,000 and 1,500 meters. His selection reflects his previous season’s race performances, where he was one of only two Dutch men to earn medals at the World Championships.
The young skater Angel Daleman, only 17, made a considerable impression during the qualifying tournament and is being monitored closely by the selection committee, which includes technical director Remy de Wit and former skater Andries Kasper. They are prioritizing the upcoming Olympic Games in Milan as they strategize for international competition.
The intent behind the decisions made by the selection committee is to bolster the collective interests of the Dutch skaters ahead of the Olympic Games in Milan in 2026. Van der Wart emphasized the importance of building a strong foundation this season to secure maximum quota places for the anticipated Olympic events.
The world champion in the 5,000 meters, Patrick Roest, recently withdrew from the qualifying tournament due to complications from an infected wisdom tooth and will not participate in the initial World Cup matches. Meanwhile, another top athlete, Femke Kok, is also absent from the competition due to a viral infection.
Fans can catch the Speed Skating World Cup competitions in Nagano live via NOS.nl and the NOS app from Friday, November 22, to Sunday, November 24, with broadcasts commencing daily at 7:00 am.
De the case for her inclusion, proving that sometimes perseverance and past performances speak louder than current circumstances.
Meanwhile, as the injury bug spreads, both Patrick Roest and Femke Kok are sidelined, with Roest focusing on recovery after an infected wisdom tooth and Kok battling a viral infection. Their absences put further strain on the Dutch roster as they prepare for the World Cups in Nagano from November 22 to 24.
The KNSB selection strategy appears massively focused on preparing for the 2026 Olympics in Milan, raising eyebrows about their decision-making process. Freek van der Wart, from the selection committee, defended the choices, emphasizing the importance of proving competitive readiness for the upcoming Olympic Games.
As fans gear up for the World Cups, the storylines continue to thicken, whether it’s the quest for Olympic quotas or the drama of athlete selections. The 2023-2024 season promises excitement and unpredictability in the world of Dutch speed skating, and viewers will be treated to live broadcasts of this emotional rollercoaster on NOS.
the road to success in speed skating is paved with both triumphs and challenges, and it remains to be seen how these decisions will impact the athletes’ careers as they inch closer to their Olympic dreams. The entire skating community is on the edge of their seats, ready to witness each exhilarating moment unfold.
