Louis Hollaar won the 500-meter race at the Dutch Allround Championships in Heerenveen on Saturday, finishing in 36.16 seconds. Meike Veen claimed victory in the women’s 500 meters, clocking a time of 38.88 seconds, a time matched exactly by Marijke Groenewoud who also took the win. The event, held at Thialf ice stadium, saw Ties van Seumeren finish second in the men’s race with a time of 36.19, followed by Jur Veenje at 36.83. Jade Groenewoud finished just behind Marijke Groenewoud with a time of 38.95 seconds.
The NK Allround serves as a qualifying event for the World Championships, though the stakes differ for men and women. For the men, the national champion earns a direct qualification for the World Championships next week, also in Heerenveen. Chris Huizinga and Stijn van de Bunt have already secured their places and did not necessitate to qualify through this event. However, no World Championship tickets are available for the women at this competition, as Antoinette Rijpma-de Jong, Joy Beune and Marijke Groenewoud have already qualified.
Several skaters opted to forego competing in the full allround event, having already secured their spots at the World Championships. Marijke Groenewoud, along with Joy Beune and Antoinette Rijpma-de Jong, will focus their preparation directly on the upcoming World Championships. Stijn van de Bunt and Chris Huizinga also received direct selection for the World Championships and chose not to participate in the NK Allround.
Marcel Bosker finished close behind Hollaar in the men’s 500m, recording a time of 37.08. Beau Snellink, the defending titleholder, experienced a slower start to the competition, finishing with a time of 38.16. The women will continue with the 3000-meter race later on Saturday, while the men will compete in the 5000 meters. The NK sprint competition will also take place concurrently at Thialf.
Merel Conijn expressed disappointment that no further qualifying spots were available for women at the NK Allround. The competition continues with the 3000m for women and 5000m for men later today.
