Gewest Fryslân skaters race ahead

Coach and team in pursuit of excellence!

Training Coaches at Dutch skating club Gewest Fryslân have been rewarded with some impressive results over the last few days as they work to develop the young skating talent in their care.

On 11 and 12 January, in Leeuwarden hosted the Daikin NK Shorttrack event, providing two days of thrilling action! With short track races of 500m, 1000m and 1500m distances, and the exciting mixed relay, it provided an exciting weekend for skaters and spectators alike.

The National Championship Junior all-rounders and Long Distance took place at Icerink Twente, Enschede on 18 and 19 January, Willeke Bouwhuis achieved third place for the 500m, 1000m, and 1500m events. Thijs Wiersma achieved a track record in the 3000m race and was overall champion and long distance champion in the 1500-1000 metre events, whilst Sem Spruit achieve third place in the overall class and came second in the 1500 metre events.

Berend Lange claimed third place for the 500metres – and second place in the 1000metre events; and Mika Kolder was overall champion and acheived second place for the 1500 metre event.

Coach Peter Kolder

Chris de Velde was the ‘mass start’ champion, whilst Sil van der Veen achieved third place.

Skaters and Coaches alike will be very encouraged by these promising performances – both driven by an aspiration to stand among the top Dutch team skaters, and to represent their country on the world stage.

Training is a gruelling and relentless process, but the rewards are sweet!

There are meetings every week as the season unfolds.

Last weekend the rink at Thialf hosted a selection event for the figure skating at which our shining star is Anna de Groot. Anna has been recovering from an injury, but is looking strong again in rehearsals.

With meetings every week at Thialf or the Elfstedenhal both teams and coaches are working hard to achieve the goals they have set themselves for the season. Each team is committed – junior progress-makers and experienced skaters alike – are striving for excellence, and their passion shows.

Some of our long distance skaters will compete at the Dutch championship sprint/pure sprint in Eindhoven this weekend (25/26 January). And Good luck to Mika Kolder, Sil van der Veen, Jasmijn Veenhuis and Mats Bendijk who are leaving for Collalbo, Italy, to prepare for the Worldcup (1/2 Feb) and World championship (8/9 Feb) .

We at Victron Energy are proud to support our sponsored club team and coaches in their constant pursuit of greatness.

We look forward to hearing more from the team as the season builds to a climax!