Speed Skating at the Winter Olympic Games Milano Cortina 2026

[Federer91 3,294]

A penny for your thoughts. Did Holland on purpose run slower, so they can avoid USA in the 1/2 

[Matteo92 260]

Damn, not the Netherlands finishing behind China and being paired with us in the semis 

[Quasit 906]

Both 500m races with 29 starters. Wouldn't have hurt to make it an even number so everyone has someone else to skate with.

[phelps 8,556]

18 minutes ago, Federer91 said:

A penny for your thoughts. Did Holland on purpose run slower, so they can avoid USA in the 1/2 

 

14 minutes ago, Matteo92 said:

Damn, not the Netherlands finishing behind China and being paired with us in the semis 

no, they didn't do it on purpose

they're just not well prepared for this kind of event (and Huizenga and above all Bosker are not in very good

shape -see the 5km race)

I think we can beat them (not so easily like today, but we're still the favourite in that matchup)

[phelps 8,556]

11 minutes ago, Quasit said:

Both 500m races with 29 starters. Wouldn't have hurt to make it an even number so everyone has someone else to skate with.

probably the designated reserves didn't bother to add a race to their original program

[Noorderling29 217]

Just now, phelps said:

 

no, they didn't do it on purpose

they're just not well prepared for this kind of event (and Huizenga and above all Bosker are not in very good

shape -see the 5km race)

I think we can beat them (not so easily like today, but we're still the favourite in that matchup)

I don’t think anyone here expects them to win a medal. The other three teams are clearly better sides, knowing that China will bring in their best man.

[Federer91 3,294]

13 minutes ago, Noorderling29 said:

I don’t think anyone here expects them to win a medal. The other three teams are clearly better sides, knowing that China will bring in their best man.

Are teams allowed to make changes or these are the line-ups?

[Noorderling29 217]

But, strange things can happen. In 2022, the Japanese women were on their way to the gold medal, but one of their riders fell (in the last bend IIRC). Sometimes the pace is too fast for the third rider, and they are dropped. It happened to the French rider this afternoon.

[copravolley 604]

I wonder if Italy will risk putting Lorello in the realy squad? In a potential final against the USA, I'd take this risk...

[Gianlu33 5,810]

Takagi fly on the 500m. Unexpected