Great performances by Reggeborgh speed and marathon skating team
The ISU European Speed Skating Championships at Heerenveen’s Thialf ice arena treated skating fans to sensational races and saw great results for the Reggeborgh speed skating team. Antoinette Rijpma-de Jong took her fourth consecutive European allround title after a blood-curdling final day. On the sprint distances, Jenning de Boo won the gold in convincing fashion. Femke Kok sprinted to silver, while Tim Prins secured bronze in the men's event. Marcel Bosker had a good tournament and finished a strong fifth in the allround event.
‘Somewhere in my head, there’s always a fighter. I keep fighting until the last metre, and that has not let me down. I was fighting for every metre. It's so special to succeed, a huge relief.’
- Antoinette Rijpma- de Jong
‘I feel very fulfilled. I find this kind of four-event competition very challenging: I’m very happy to have won. The crowd goes crazy when you cross the finish line. That's pure wow.’
- Jenning de Boo
Evert Hoolwerf wins Marathon Cup
The Reggeborgh marathon skating team was also in action this weekend. During the Marathon Cup at the Ireen Wüst ice skating rink in Tilburg, Gary Hekman and Casper de Gier managed to ward off all the attacks in the leading group. Evert Hoolwerf was launched perfectly in the final laps and crossed the finish line first with a rock-solid final sprint.
‘When teammate Casper de Gier joined the leading group, we had briefly talked strategy. I said that I wanted to sprint. I felt confident and after that we all picked up the pace together.’
- Evert Hoolwerf
