Team pursuit trains for barely 20 minutes in Thialf – Stijn van de Bunt, Chris Huizinga and Marcel Bosker are now on the ice together
Stijn van de Bunt, Chris Huizinga, and Marcel Bosker spent just twenty minutes together on the ice in Thialf on Thursday. The much-discussed Dutch team pursuit skated together for the first, and perhaps last, lap. Despite the short training session and lackluster preparation, the KNSB (Royal Dutch Skating Federation) considers their chances of a medal in Milan greater than in the individual 1500 meters.
The team’s preparations are proving difficult. Stijn van de Bunt, Chris Huizinga, and Marcel Bosker are each riding their own programs and rarely see each other. Huizinga will soon be leaving for Collalbo, Italy, Bosker will be seeking sunshine in southern Spain, and Van de Bunt will remain in the Netherlands for the time being.
The trio will not meet again until later this month at the World Cup in Inzell, in the run-up to the Winter Games in Milan, which will take place from 8 to 22 February.
Short, intensive training
On the first day the three were scheduled to appear on the ice together, Van de Bunt was ill. Jorrit Bergsma stepped in to help them train. On Thursday, the 21-year-old, who performed fantastically at the Olympic Qualifying Tournament, was able to participate, but their session together lasted only twenty minutes.
National coach Rintje Ritsma emphasizes that this minimum time together is crucial for testing lines and improving coordination between the riders.
Bosker to Milan, Prince disappointed
The team had to make choices: Bosker would travel to Milan, while Tim Prins, despite a higher ranking, was left out of the squad. Ritsma and the selection committee opted for experience and balance in the team.
With Bosker on the team, the team believes its chances of a medal are greater, despite the limited joint preparation and the logistical challenges faced by the skaters. kingofcorrectscore
Comments are closed.