Suzanne Schulting is completely devastated after the last races of her long and grueling short track season. The 25-year-old Dutchman became world champion three times in Seoul last weekend, but found it difficult to enjoy it. “The tank is emptier than in other years.”
After the final of the relay, Schulting falls into the arms of her teammates Xandra Velzeboer, Selma Poutsma and Yara van Kerkhof. There is a lot of joy around her because of another gold medal. But that is not the emotion that dominates the three-time Olympic champion.
In the interview at the NOS right after the race, Schulting is initially unable to respond through her tears. “I’m very proud of this team,” she finally says. “They really got me through today.”
With Schulting, you never have to guess how she feels. “You know me: it’s Jantje laughing, Jantje crying,” she says an hour after her World Cup at a digital press moment. “But I don’t know if I’ve ever felt like I did just after the relay final. I was having a hard time with myself.”
There is nothing wrong with the bare World Cup figures of the Frisian. In South Korea she won gold in the 1,500 meters, mixed relay and women’s relay and silver in the 500 meters. But the failed final of ‘her’ 1,000 meters – partly due to a penalty, she was only fifth at the distance at which she is a two-time Olympic champion – counts more heavily just after the tournament.
“I mustn’t forget that I became world champion twice today. The feeling that I can be very happy about that is starting to come a little more” says Schulting. “But mentally it was just a very tough day. I notice that this season has taken its toll.”
“I was not the powerful Suzanne that I normally am”
When she got up on Sunday morning, Schulting already felt that her legs felt heavy. Still, she hoped to get one last shot in the 1,000 meters on the last day of her season. She came through her quarter and semi-finals on character, but in the final battle she could no longer disguise the lack of super form.
Normally, Schulting drives so fast in the 1,000 meters that the competition hardly dares to think about attacking. Now she slowly sank to the back in the final phase of the final. Compatriot Xandra Velzeboer drove to gold with a mighty acceleration. Seconds later, Schulting crossed the line in fourth with his head bowed. Due to a penalty for an illegal overtaking action, she was even classified fifth.
“My body couldn’t take it anymore,” concludes the ten-time world champion. “That hurts me the most: that I was not able to run the 1,000 meters as I wanted. Being beaten on value is already frustrating. But now I also had to deal with the fact that I was not the powerful Suzanne that I normally am . The tank is empty. Empty than in other years.”
Schulting is looking forward to weeks of rest
Schulting knows what she looks forward to most after a long winter. “I really need to sit on the couch with friends and family and watch a series.”
Rest is much needed after years in which Schulting constantly felt the pressure that comes with her status as the most successful short track star in the world. “Nothing is as hard mentally as being constantly attacked if you have always been the best,” says national coach Niels Kerstholt. “I have a lot of respect for the fact that Suzanne continued to perform her duties despite the immense pressure. But you notice that it is now time for her to seek shelter.”
Schulting acknowledges that she has continued “at full speed” over the past season, when it might have been better to step on the brakes every now and then. “I have to start looking after myself,” she says. “I’m going to talk to my coaches about that. It’s important that they help me with that.”
Kerstholt does not rule out that Schulting will skip one or more World Cups next season. “But I’m going on vacation first. Clearing my head,” says Schulting. “We will only draw conclusions after that.”
