After a season in which she won Olympic gold and set a world record, Dutch skater Femke Kok said she did not yet feel much desire to race at a mid-September training camp in Spain with her Reggeborgh team. She nevertheless remained ambitious and said she did not want to lose her 26-race winning streak in the 500 metres. The 2026–27 skating season was due to begin on 30 October with the WCKT at Thialf. The qualifying event determines places for the first four World Cups, while the Dutch sprint and allround championships are scheduled at Thialf between Christmas and New Year.