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

[copravolley 644]

5 minutes ago, SalamAkhi said:

Are you sure of that ? She could be fielded as starter for the mass-start and Lollobrigida would then receive an additional starting spot, as Italy/Rossi is in the reserve list. On the other hand maybe there's a chance Pergher will start both 500 and 1000 and Vigl wouldn't get a spot, though the latter has a slight edge this year over 1km. 

On the men's side 6 is indeed likely. I guess Rosanelli or Bosa (500), Di Stefano (1000, 1500, MS, TP), Ghiotto (5000, 10000, TP), Malfatti (5000, TP), Lorello (5000, 10000, TP), Giovannini (MS, TP).

I don't think they will do this combination, because Rossi doesn't really change much in the women's- she's simply too weak. We need much di Stefano to start in second man in the men's mass start, that`s all. I think Vigl will start in the 1000, though, as she qualified and is still training with the national team.

Edited January 7 by copravolley

[SalamAkhi 359]

That would be harsh of them to deprive her of a right to start at home, even if her chances are slim (and she wouldn't be of much help for Lollobrigida). But yeah 9 or 10 skaters to expect. 

Edited January 7 by SalamAkhi

[copravolley 644]

Rossi is still in the squad and will be going to the European Championships, so I don't rule out that he's still in contention for the Olympics. We'll see. I don't know if that's cruel? She simply didn't win the quota for country and her. Two or three years ago, Italy had other strong girls at this distance: Peveri and Marletti, but something happened to them, causing them to lose form or stop being called to NT tranings.

Edited January 7 by copravolley

[Noorderling29 238]

The fact that Bosker was promoted in lieu of the team pursuit suggested that some serious effort would be put in to that event. Last Tuesday, The first training was scheduled and Bondscoach Ritsma had chartered some serious scientists to monitor the training. But alas, van der Bunt was ill, so the training was cancelled and the Bondscoach complained that he has no data on van der Bunt. The Bondscoach then flew to Poland to attend The European Championships, where a Dutch team pursuit will particpate, but with three riders not on the start list for Milan.

 

OTOH, good to know that, short of a DQ, the team can not finish lower than 8th.

[copravolley 644]

Exactly, but for the Netherlands, only medals count and  preferably gold? Especially since you have 2 or 3 key disciplines where you don't settle for mediocrity. I've always liked this approach, unlike Italy, or Poland, where they waste money on almost anything to achieve very low rankings, for example, in Nordic combined or women's bobsleigh.

Edited January 9 by copravolley

[Noorderling29 238]

Yesterday the first training, but the Bondscoach was absent, since present in Poland. It lasted for a full 20 minutes, so the gold medal is assured.

 

Analysts in the NOS program: the team should have used today’s race to try-out, but of course the personal interest always are deemed more important by the riders.

Edited January 9 by Noorderling29

[SalamAkhi 359]

4 hours ago, copravolley said:

Exactly, but for the Netherlands, only medals count and  preferably gold? Especially since you have 2 or 3 key disciplines where you don't settle for mediocrity. I've always liked this approach, unlike Italy, or Poland, where they waste money on almost anything to achieve very low rankings, for example, in Nordic combined or women's bobsleigh.

Protestant Ethic, that's all.

[copravolley 644]

23 minutes ago, SalamAkhi said:

Protestant Ethic, that's all.

Overall, would you rate France's performance in Paris 2024 as a great success? 64 medals is a lot- 31 more than in Tokyo.

[SalamAkhi 359]

22 minutes ago, copravolley said:

Overall, would you rate France's performance in Paris 2024 as a great success? 64 medals is a lot- 31 more than in Tokyo.

Overall yes, but a clear lack of golds. Good success nonetheless without over-focusing on some big ROI sports.

[copravolley 644]

Unfortunately, Lollobrigida is out of form, and nothing can be done about it this season. There won't be any medals in Cortina And I have concerns that the entire Italian team is simply poorly prepared... Francesca's 8-second loss to Wiklund is astronomical She also lost clearly to Tas from Belgium... To even think about anything, you have to be at least at Tas's level here, because other Dutch and Canadians will be competing in Cortina. What's more, with this form, it will be difficult to even medal in the mass start. Something clearly wrong; she was at her peak last year at the World Championships and this season has been her worst in many years.

Edited January 9 by copravolley