Speed Skating Discussion | Qualification to Winter Olympic Games Milano Cortina 2026

[Noorderling29 238]

[Dennis 849]

Schulting 

[Noorderling29 238]

Kok and Schulting qualified. Leerdam interviewed, hoping for an ‘aanwijsplek’; the rules allow the selection committee to intervene in case of calamities. 

[Noorderling29 238]

1 minute ago, Dennis said:

Schulting 

Given how bad she was just two weeks ago in Hamar, another Example of: if you’ve got a lane, you’ve got a chance.

 

overall, disappointing level, even Kok was much slower than at the World Cup qualifier/Dutch championship.

[Noorderling29 238]

Given the body language of Schulting and her coach after her run, they clearly did not expect her time to be enough.

 

EDIT: she just confirms this in her interview.

Edited December 26, 2025 by Noorderling29

[Dennis 849]

2 minutes ago, Noorderling29 said:

Given how bad she was just two weeks ago in Hamar, another Example of: if you’ve got a lane, you’ve got a chance.

 

overall, disappointing level, even Kok was much slower than at the World Cup qualifier/Dutch championship.

Yeah, a lot of the favourites and outsiders failed under pressure. The fact that Verkerk finished above Fledderus, Rijpma, etc. is a massive surprise

[copravolley 644]

5 minutes ago, Dennis said:

Yeah, a lot of the favourites and outsiders failed under pressure. The fact that Verkerk finished above Fledderus, Rijpma, etc. is a massive surprise

The Netherlands may have the biggest problem in the men's long distances: even missing out on one medal is a real possibility, and in 2014 they won three medals in the 10 km.

[Noorderling29 238]

On 12/8/2025 at 11:35 AM, Noorderling29 said:

4 years ago the third Male 500 metres qualifier was dropped for a Team pursuit rider. 

8 years ago Dai Dai Ntab was the favorite to qualify, but was disqualified after false starting.

4 years ago he finished third, but was dropped for Kramer who was needed in the Team Pursuit.

This week he is unable to start because of illness. He was not favored to qualify, but given his age (31) It seems unlikely he will get another chance

[copravolley 644]

But of course, for me the biggest loser will be probably Ghiotto in the 10 km: huge domination for almost all od the cycle, bur he will probably lose to the young Czech at home in Cortina, which was supposed to be the crowning achievement of his career.

Edited December 26, 2025 by copravolley

[Noorderling29 238]

1 minute ago, copravolley said:

The Netherlands may have the biggest problem in the men's long distances: even missing out on one medal is a real possibility, and in 2014 they won three medals in the 10 km.

Yes. Even though we have Some strong riders in the shorter distances, it would not be a total surprise if the Dutch men won no medals at all.