Speed skating season kicks off with Dutch championships

This winter’s speed skating season kicked off at the weekend with the Dutch distance championships, which saw the return of Sven Kramer in the 5,000 metres and a new 10,000 metres champion.


Kramer won the 5,000 metres on Friday to take his 11th national title but dropped out of Sunday’s 10,000 because he is still recovering from a back injury.
Jorrit Bergsma won the 10 kilometre event, seeing off team mate Bob de Jong with a new championship record of 12,57.42.

The national championships are additionally important because they are used to decide who will represent the Netherlands at World Cup events which take place throughout the season.
Women’s event winners

  • 500 metres: Thijsje Oenema (defending champion)
  • 1000 metres: Marrit Leenstra
  • 1,500 metres; Ireen Wüst (defending champion)
  • 3,000 metres: Diane Valkenburg
  • 5,000 metres: Marije Joling
    Men’s event winners

  • 500 metres: Michel Mulder
  • 1,000 metres: Kjeld Nuis
  • 1,500 metres: Kjeld Nuis
  • 5,000 metres: Sven Kramer (world record holder)
  • 10,000 metres: Jorrit Bergsma
    The NRC has the highlights in pictures

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